o 

0. 

5" 

P 
a 

o 


F 

777 
C5 


BANCROFT 
LIBRARY 

-> 

THE  LIBRARY 

OF 

THE  UNIVERSITY 
OF  CALIFORNIA 


REPORT 


BOARD  OF  IMMIGRATION 


po LO PVA DO      E R  R i TO PVY 


FOR   THK 


Transmitted  \~>  tin-  l.c<.M>l;itm' 


1  h. \vi.K,  COLORADO, 
\\  il.l.IAM    \.    i;VI-:KS.    PUBLIC   I'UIN'I  l-.U. 

1-71. 


*- 


REPORT 


OF 
/^       ./* «v 


</ 


BOARD  OF  IMMIGRATION 


COLOI\ADO  TERRITORY, 


TWO   YEARS  ENDING  DECEMBER  j/,  1873.  * 


Traumittfd  to  tht  U^islatiTe  Asspmbly  Janatrj  5, 1874. 


DENVER,  COLORADO, 

WILLIAM   N.  BYERS,  PUBLIC  PRINTER. 


PRINTED  BY  ORDER  OF  THE  LEGISLATIVE  ASSEMBLY, 
OF  POLORADO  TERRITORY. 


BANCROFT 
UBRARY 


REPORT 


OF    THE 


BOARD  OF  IMMIGRATION, 


COLORADO 


BOARD  OF  IMMIGRATION,  ^ 

SECRETARY'S  OFFICE, 
Denver,  December  3ist,  1873.  ) 

To    His   Excellency,    Hon.  Samuel   H.  Elbcrf,    Gwernor  of 
Colorado   Territory,  Denver: 

SIR: — In  pursuance  of  the  law  creating  the  Board  of  Im- 
migration for  the  Territory  of  Colorado,  I  have  the  honor 
to  submit  to  you  to  be  laid  before  the  Tenth  Legislative 
Assembly,  a  report  of  the  transactions  of  the  Board  from 
its  organization  to  this  date. 

The  Board  appointed  by  his  Excellency,  Gov.  Edward 
M.  McCook,  consisted  of: 

Jacob  F.  L.  Schirmer,  of  Arapahoe  County ; 

Edward  P.  Hollister,  of  Arapahoe  County ; 

David  C.  Collier,  of  Gilpin  County  ; 

Jesse  M.  Sherwood,  of  Larimer  County  ; 

Albert  W.  Archibald,  of  Las  Animas  County. 


Report  of  the  Board  of  Immigration. 


These  gentlemen  met  at  the  rooms  of  the  Territorial 
Library,  on  the  2Oth  day  of  February,  1872,  and  organized 
by  the  election  of  Jacob  F.  L.  Schirmer  of  Arapahoe 
County,  as  President,  and  Edward  P.  Hollister  as  Treasurer 
of  the  Board. 

On  the  29th  day  of  March,  1873,  I  received  the  following 
communication : 

TERRITORY  OF  COLORADO, 

SECRETARY'S  OFFICE, 
Denver,  March  29th,   1873. 
Geo.    T.   Clark,  £sy.,  Secretary   Territorial  Board  of  Immigration  : 

SIR  : — You  are  hereby  directed  to  notify  the  members  of  the  Territorial 
Board  of  Immigration  that  the  membership  heretofore  held  in  said  Board  by 
Edward  P.  Hollister  has  this  day  been  declared  vacant,  by  reason  of  said 
Hollister's  removal  from  the  Territory,  and  for  other  good  and  sufficient 
reasons,  and  his  commission  revoked.  William  N.  Byers  has  been  appointed 
to  the  vacancy,  and  he  has  this  day  been  duly  qualified  as  the  law  directs  for 
the  discharge  of  the  duties  of  said  office,  for  and  during  the  unexpired  term  of 
E.  P.  Hollister,  removed. 

Also :  that  the  resignation  of  Jacob  F.  L.  Schirmer,  as  a  member  of  said 
Board,  has  been  presented  and  accepted,  and  Fred.  Z.  Salomon  appointed 
and  commissioned  to  fill  the  unexpired  term  of  said  Schirmer.  Mr.  Salomon 
has  filed  his  approved  bond  with  the  Secretary  of  the  Territory,  according  to 
law,  and  is  duly  qualified  to  acl  as  a  member  of  your  Board. 

,  /--^-N  ,       In  testimony  whereof,  I  have  hereunto  set  my  hand  and  affixed 
\  SEAL  V  the  seal  of  the  Territory,  this  29th  day  of   March,  A.  D. 

l-v-J  I873. 

[Signed],  FRANK  HALL, 

Acling  Governor. 

The  Board  now  consists  of: 

William  N.  Byers,  of  Arapahoe  County ; 
Fred.  Z.  Salomon,  of  Arapahoe  County ; 
Albert  W.  Archibald,  of  Las  Animas  County ; 
David  C.  Collier,  of  Gilpin  County; 
Jesse  M.  Sherwood,  of  Larimer  County. 

DUTIES  OF  THE  BOARD. 

As  contemplated  by  the  acl:  creating  the  Board,  the  mem- 
bers met  on  the  2Oth  day  of  February,  1872,  for  the  purpose 
of  putting  into  execution  such  measures  as  would  best  pro- 
mote and  encourage  immigration  to  Colorado.  After  due 


Report  of  the  Board  of  Immigration.  5 

consideration  and  discussion  it  was  decided  to  issue  a  small 
circular  at  once,  and  as  soon  as  possible  to  publish  a  large 
pamphlet  on  the  resources  of  Colorado.  Accordingly  a 
circular  was  issued,  entitled  "  Official  Information  on  the 
Resources  of  Colorado,"  of  which  25,000  copies  were 
printed  and  distributed.  On  the  1st  day  of  June,  1872,  the 
pamphlet  which  had  been  prepared  by  the  Board,  consist- 
ing of  thirty-six  pages  of  closely  printed  matter  was  pub- 
lished and  delivered  to  the  Secretary  of  the  Board  for  dis- 
tribution, to-wit:  25,000  copies,  entitled  "Statement  of 
Facts,  prepared  and  published  by  authority  of  the  Terri- 
torial Board  of  Immigration,"  which  were  mailed  to  all 
parts  of  the  United  States  and  Europe.  Copies  of  the  cir- 
cular and  pamphlet  are  herewith  transmitted,  and  become 
part  of  this  report. 

At  the  meeting  of  the  Board  in  January,  1873,  it  was 
thought  advisable  to  make  another  issue,  the  former  docu- 
ments having  been  all  distributed,  and  a  great  demand  hav- 
ing been  made  on  the  Secretary  for  further  information  in 
regard  to  Colorado ;  therefore  the  Board  authorized  the 
preparation  of  another  pamphlet.  On  the  ist  of  March, 
A.  D.  1873,  an  issue  of  20,000  copies  of  pamphlets,  entitled 
~  "  Resources  and  Advantages  of  Colorado,"  was  made  and 
distributed.  At  the  same  time  the  Board  ordered  the  trans- 
lation of  5,000  of  the  pamphlets  of  1872  into  the  German 
language ;  copies  of  same  are  herewith  transmitted  and  be- 
come a  part  of  this  report.  These  four  documents  comprise 
all  of  the  issues  of  the  Board.  In  addition  to  the  above,  the 
newspapers  throughout  the  Territory  have  from  time  to 
time  published  descriptive  articles  on  Colorado  and  the  ad- 
vantages to  be  derived  from  locating  in  the  Territory.  The 
Kansas  Pacific  Railway  has  in  every  way  called  attention 
to  the  advantages  of  Colorado  in  numerous  publications, 
and  has  been  of  great  benefit  to  the  Board  in  its  under- 
takings. 

The  Board  desire  to  return  thanks  to  the  press  of  Colo- 
rado for  its  aid  and  assistance,  and  particularly  to  the  Rocky 


Report  of  the  Board  of  Immigration. 


Mountain  News  for  keeping  an  advertisement  in  its  columns 
for  two  years  free  of  charge.  The  Board  has  held  twenty- 
four  meetings  since  its  organization,  and  every  pains  has 
been  taken  to  so  conduct  its  matters  as  to  disseminate  the 
most  information  possible  at  the  lowest  cost.  It  has  tried 
to  give  every  section  of  the  Territory  fair  representation,  as 
regards  the  advantages  to  be  derived.  It  may  have  made 
mistakes,  but  they«have  been  unintentional. 

The  duties  of  your  Board  of  Immigration  are  really  of 
such  an  extensive  character  that  the  amount  of  appropria- 
tion has  been  very  inadequate  to  the  extensive  field  that  it 
might  have  occupied ;  though  its  present  results  have  been 
so  much  more  than  even  the  most  sanguine  could  ever  have 
imagined.  The  class  of  immigrants  which  the  Board  has 
been  the  prime  instrument  of  obtaining  for  Colorado,  has 
been  chiefly  parties  of  some  means  seeking  to  better  their 
condition  by  investments  in  property  where  the  margin  ol 
trade  is  greater  than  in  the  locality  from  where  they  emi- 
grated ;  also,  a  class  of  immigrants  who  are  invalids,  led 
hither  by  the  health  reports  of  your  Board, — and  to  them 
Colorado  is  largely  indebted  for  the  immunity  from  the 
effects  of  the  financial  crisis  which  is  operating  so  disas- 
trously all  through  the  eastern  States.  Most  of  the  class 
of  invalids  have  been  wealthy,  and  have  invested  hundreds 
ot  thousands  of  dollars  in  Colorado  generally.  To  them,  and 
the  large  amount  of  wealth  they  have  circulated  amongst  us, 
we  are  indebted  for  the  fact  that  our  rates  of  interest  are  not 
higher  during  this  crisis,  than  in  many  other  places  in  the 
East.  There  has  been  no  exaggerated  inflation  of  real  es- 
tate prices,  so  that  trade  and  finance  is  in  a  most  healthy 
condition. 

All  this  work,  which  your  Board  of  Immigration  have 
accomplished,  can  be  doubled  and  quadrupled  in  the  future. 
In  connection  with  your  Board  should  also  be  connected  a 
Bureau  of  Statistics  for  collecting  and  publishing  interesting 
statistics  of  the  growth  and  resources  of  our  Territory. 


Report  of  the  Board  of  Immigration. 


We  are  very  far  behind  the  northern  State  of  Minnesota 
in  this  particular,  and  we  should  hasten  to  repair  the 
deficiency. 

SECRETARY. 

It  was  thought  when  the  bill  creating  the  Board  of  Im- 
migration became  a  law,  that  there  would  be  but  very  little 
for  the  Secretary  to  do  except  to  keep  the  minutes  of  the 
meetings,  and  to  mail  the  publications  of  the  Board,  which 
would  require  but  very  little  of  his  time.  In  the  year  1872 
the  correspondence  of  the  Secretary  amounted  to  about 
2000  letters  received  and  answered.  There  was  mailed 
25,000  circulars  of  the  Board,  and  25,000  pamphlets.  In 
the  year  1873,  owing  to  the  large  influx  of  settlers,  he  has 
been  obliged  to  give  it  his  undivided  attention.  All  through 
the  spring  and  summer  months,  his  office  has  been  the  point 
where  all  inquiries  have  been  made  by  those  seeking  em- 
ployment and  locations  in  Colorado.  He  has  received  and 
answered  about  5,000  letters,  issued  certificates  of  reduction 
of  fare  to  cover  4,060  people;  mailed  25,000  copies  of  the 
pamphlet  of  the  Board,  besides  several  thousand  other  doc- 
uments, published  by  colonies  and  kindred  organizations,  &c. 

With  this  report  the  labors  of  your  Board  close,  and  in 
summing  up  the  work  performed  in  the  last  two  years,  they 
think  it  safe  to  say  that  they  have  induced  a  large  immigra- 
tion to  the  Territory  through  its  publications  and  expended 
a  less  sum  of  money  than  similar  organizations  in  other 
States  and  Territories.  They  would  recommend  the  issue 
of  another  work  on  Colorado  early  in  1874,  and  also  that 
the  proceedings  of  the  many  conventions  held  in  the  Terri- 
tory by  irrigation,  stock  growing,  farmers'  club,  health  and 
other  organizations  which  give  facts  in  reference  to  the  Ter- 
ritory be  ordered  printed  and  distributed  with  such  a  docu- 
ment as  may  be  ordered  published.  Calls  upon  the  Secre- 
tary tor  information  are  numerous,  by  mail  and  in  person,  but 
the  last  publication  of  the  Board  having  been  exhausted,  he 
is  unable  to  supply  the  demands.  Herewith  are  transmitted 


8  Report  of  the  Board  of  Immigration. 


articles  upon  the  wealth,  health,  population  and  general  re- 
sources of  Colorado,  which  are  as  accurate  as  they  are  able 
to  obtain  in  the  absence  of  a  bureau  of  statistics. 
By  order  of 

The  Board  of  Immigration. 

GEO.  T.  CLARK, 

Secretary.  . 


DENVER,  COLORADO,  November  I5th,  1873. 
To  the  Board  of  Immigration  : 

GENTLEMEN  : — In  complying  with  your  request  to  furnish 
you  with  facts  in  regard  to  Colorado  as  a  Sanitarium,  I 
must  necessarily  repeat  in  substance  what  I  have  stated 
upon  the  same  subje6l  in  former  papers.  The  altitude  and 
geographical  characteristics  of  different  portions  of  Colorado 
have  a  marked  effe6t  upon  the  climate,  and  its  adaptability 
to  the  various  diseases  and  conditions  of  the  human  system  ; 
and  therefore  the  Territory  may  be  considered  as  climatic- 
ally divided  into  two  distinct  parts,  viz. :  mountains  and 
plains.  The  former  comprising  about  one-half  of  the  area 
of  the  Territory,  and  forming  its  western  portion,  consists 
of  a  succession  of  perpetually  snow-clad  ranges  and  peaks, 
separated  by  beautiful  and  fertile  valleys  and  parks,  which 
are  from  seven  to  nine  thousand  feet  above  sea-level,  while 
many  of  the  peaks  attain  an  altitude  of  nearly  fifteen  thou- 
sand feet.  It  is  well  watered  by  clear,  cold  rivers  and 
streams,  which  are  rapid  in  their  course,  and  abound  with 
speckled  trout.  The  forests  are  composed  principally  of 
pine  and  fir,  which  give  a  delightful  and  healthful  aroma  to 
the  air. 

Hot  and  cold  mineral  springs,  possessing  a  great  variety 
ot  medicinal  virtues,  are  found  in  many  localities.  The  at- 
mosphere is  a  little  moister  than  that  of  the  plains,  and  is 
rare,  clear,  cool,  and  charged  with  an  unusual  amount  of 
electricity.  This  region  is  unsurpassed  in  its  endless 


AV/v>/-/  i>f'  f/tt'  7>W;v/  (>/   Immigration. 


variety  of  grand  and  beautiful  natural  scenery,  by  anyplace 
in  America.  Persons  desiring  to  escape  the  fatal  diseases 
incident  to  large  towns  and  cities  in  the  summer  months, 
may  here  gain  not  only  health  and  comfort,  but  pleasure; 
those  who  are  fond  of  botany  may  find  in  the  abundant 
flora  many  of  the  rare  and  most  beautiful  plants  and  flowers, 
while  those  who  have  a  taste  for  mineralogy,  may  also  here 
find  deposited  almost  every  variety  of  the  base  precious 
metals,  from  crude  iron  ore  to  the  delicate  frosted  wire 
gold.  Notwithstanding  thousands  of  veins  of  the  different 
kinds  of  minerals  have  been  opened  and  worked,  there  still 
remain  tens  of  thousands  more  hidden  away  in  our  hills 
and  mountains,  unfound  and  unclaimed.  Primitive  granite, 
hard  enough  for  mill-stones,  is  stored  here  in  mass,  while 
upon  the  hillsides  and  valleys  are  found  many  precious 
stones,  as  white  crystal,  moss  agate,  topaz,  onyx,  opal,  gar- 
net, and  amethyst. 

Those  of  a  sporting  turn  of  mind  can  find  amusement 
either  in  angling  for  the  wary  trout,  or  in  hunting  the  swift- 
winged  grouse,  the  nimble  deer  and  mountain  sheep,  the 
stately  elk,  or  the  aggressive  grizzly  bear.  It  is  here  that 
the  chest  expands  to  its  fullest  extent,  and  the  lungs  fill  to 
their  utmost  capacity  at  every  inspiration,  in  order  to  secure 
sufficient  oxygen  for  the  aeration  of  the  blood;  and  owing 
to  the  lessened  atmospheric  pressure  upon  the  body,  capil- 
lary circulation  is  increased,  and  hence  elimination  and 
nutrition  become  more  a6live. 

With  these  qualities  in  such  a  climate, — its  bright  days 
inducing  out-door  sports ;  its  cool  nights  bringir  sh- 

ing  slumber, — it  can  be  readily  understood-t^.6  .17 

short  residence  therein  would  cause  tin  Zg'  '-9 

become  broad,  the  relaxed  in  muse'  57  2.29 

thin  in  flesh  to  gain  weight,  and  50  1*40 

those  suffering   trom  the  bilious  di.<   3*  60.3  .87 

6  45-9  -7° 

longed  residence  in  malarial  district.'     2  41.2  .16 


Those  who  desire  to  make  a  tou 7_ 


21.3  .60 


one,  two    or  three    months'  duratir:hcs:  in  l872' l8'78  inches;  in  l873' 


io  Report  of  the  Board  of  Immigration. 

Denver,  guides,  teams  and  camp  equipage;  while  those 
who  wish  to  enjoy  the  benefits  and  pleasures  of  the  climate 
in  luxurious  ease,  can  go  by  rail  to  the  foot  of  Pike's  Peak, 
where  are  the  soda,  and  the  chalybeate  springs,  and  large 
and  commodious  hotels  in  the  midst  of  most  enchanting 
and  wonderful  scenery  :  or,  to  the  hot  soda  springs  of  Idaho, 
where  comfortable  quarters  and  every  facility  for  bathing 
can  be  had  in  a  lovely  village,  encircled  by  cloud-wreathed 
mountains,  and  in  the  neighborhood  of  the  richest  and  most 
interesting  mining  district  of  this,  our  modern  El  Dorado. 
All  of  the  springs  are  quite  celebrated  for  their  curative 
effect  in  rheumatic  affections,  as  also  for  their  tonic  qualities. 

The  second  climatic  division  of  Colorado  embraces  the 
eastern  portion,  which  extends  from  the  foot  of  the  moun- 
tains to  the  boundary  line.  It  is  an  open  prairie,  or  plateau, 
which  varies  in  altitude  from  3,000  to  6,000  feet  above  the 
level  of  the  sea.  It  is  watered  by  streams  rising  in  the 
monntains,  which  are  all  swift  in  their  courses. 

The  soil  is  dry  and  alkaline,  free  from  boggy  and  marshy 
places,  and  "blossoms  as  the  rose,"  with  a  great  variety  of 
flowers  during  the  spring  months,  but  is  principally  covered 
with  a  short,  thick  herbage,  called  buffalo  grass,  which 
usually  dries  into  sweet  and  nutritious  hay  during  the 
month  of  August.  Trees  are  only  found  along  the  river  or 
creek  bottoms. 

This  portion  has  a  pure,  rare,  dry  air,  bracing  and  exhil- 
arating in  its  effects,  warmed  and  softened  by  the  rays  of  a 
geiy'"1  "im,  which  is  seldom  shaded  by  clouds  or  hidden  by 

s**  lM>ject   to  frequent  changes  of  temperature,  but 

speckled   trou.          ,  c 

.  f        .  .  *r  dampness  at  all  seasons,  logs  and  dews 
pine  and  fir,  which  g* 

the  air. 

Hot  and  cold  mineralthan  an^  explanation  can  give,  is  pre- 
ot  medicinal  virtues,  are*  condensed  record  of  th^  weather 
mosphere  is  a  little  moi^r  durmS  the  Past  four  >^ears' 
rare,  clear,  cool,  and  ch.  ( 
electricity.  This  regio 


Report  of  tin-  Hoard  of  Immigration. 


/  / 


TEMPE2ATUEE. 


Yi  \KS 

ASH   MONTHS. 

Highest. 

1 

Latent. 

Mean. 

rt    0 

r 

1 

•£ 

Inches. 

January  
February 

1870  

60 
64 

5 
i 

29.4 

-j-I    r 

i.i5 

I  7O 

March 

4 

67 

g 

33-5 

72  7 

t./w 

7O 

April  .    . 

4 

80 

1  6 

3^-7 
48  I 

.70 
2  80 

Mav  

4 

86 

40 

56  ! 

7C 

June  

i 

04. 

48 

68  2 

•J.) 
C2 

July  

< 

08 

r-j 

74  2 

•3* 

August  

4 

Q7 

AC 

64  8 

12 

September.... 

4 

89 

4O 

60  i 

October  

4 

27 

47  8 

68 

November.... 

4 

68 

2O 

*/•** 

41  8 

CA 

December  .... 

4 

60 

18 

27 

77 

January 

1871 

6? 

6 

74  1 

46 

February    .  . 

66 

11 

J4-i 

78  c 

27 

March  

« 

67 

10 

jo-i 

46 

ill 

April  

« 

80 

2C 

CQ  I 

I  OI 

May  

« 

86 

4.2 

6c  2 

2  C.6 

June  

.         "          . 

IQ7 

C.6 

74  O 

oc 

July  

«          

y/ 
Q7 

58 

78 

•"5 

August  

yi 

qe 

54 

27 

September.... 

44 

86 

AC 

66  t; 

i  18 

October  

44 

85 

24 

_      c 

4.O 

November  

u 

70 

O 

76 

«  IO 

December  .. 

(( 

r  c 

2 

71 

January  
February  

1872  

(4 

5^ 
64 

26 

22.7 

74  7 

2O 

March  

44 

78 

•?q  A 

•*y 

April  

« 

83    • 

2C 

40 

2  78 

May  

« 

89 

•?C 

6?'3 

321 

June  

U 

Q7 

4Q 

69 

i  c8 

July  

« 

07 

C4 

**!r 
71. 

1o° 

2  4.2 

August  

44 

04 

T2 

72 

September...  . 

,< 

QO 

-*C 

62 

17 

October  

44 

88 

10 

S7  6 

I   7O 

November.... 

« 

69 

r 

358 

8l 

December  .... 

(( 

60 

1 

28 

72 

January  
February.... 

1873  

62 

62 

22 

6 

77  I 

.14 
2/1 

March  

44 

7Q 

16 

48*6 

1  7 

April  

44 

82 

12 

44. 

2  08 

May  

« 

86 

7t: 

c8  Q 

7O 

June  

44 

q? 

C7 

72 

2  2Q 

July  

44 

Q4 

c? 

72  7 

I  7O 

August 

« 

92 

60 

72 

I  4O 

September.... 

44 

86 

12 

60  7 

87 

October  

,4 

87 

6 

w.j 

AC   Q 

7O 

November  

« 

7O 

2 

41  2 

16 

December  .... 

"         

57 

7 

21.3 

.60 

The  rainfall  in  1870  was  12.65  inches  ;  in  1871,  12.35  inches:  in  1872,  18.78  inches  ;  in  1873, 
11.05  inches. 


12  Report  of  the  Board  of  Immigration. 


As  dry  air  is  a  non-conductor  of  heat,  the  changes  in 
temperature  here  do  not  affe6t  the  system  readily.  Many 
of  the  diseases  that  afflict  the  human  race  are  mitigated  or 
cured  by  residence  in  Colorado,  but  in  this  letter  it  is  only- 
intended  to  speak  particularly  ot  those  affecting  the  air  pas- 
sages. The  malady  called  Hay  Asthma  has  never  been 
known,  and  those  who  suffer  annually  from  this  distressing 
disease  in  other  climates,  may  here  pass  over  the  period  of 
its  attack  without  feeling  a  symptom  of  it.  There  is  prob- 
ably no  other  part  of  America  where  persons  suffering  from 
spasmodic  asthma,  unconnected  with  structural  changes  in 
the  lungs  and  heart,  find  such  speedy  and  perfect  relief. 
Often  those  who  have  scarcely  passed  a  night  for  years 
without  experiencing  a  tightness  and  constriction  about  the 
chest,  accompanied  by  labored  breathing,  though  having 
used  almost  every  known  remedy  for  tranquilizing  it,  on 
their  arrival  here,  breathe  and  sleep  with  perfect  freedom. 

Those  who  have  organic  disease  of  the  heart,  or  lungs, 
or  both,  improve  more  slowly,  and  a  very  few,  usually  those 
advanced  in  years,  do  not  experience  any  appreciable  bene- 
fit. Cases  of  chronic  bronchitis  in  the  great  majority  of  in- 
stances rapidly  yield  to  the  healthful  influences  of  the 
place.  Having  myself  been  a  sufferer  from  this  complaint, 
with  copious  expectoration  for  several  years  prior  to  mak- 
ing my  residence  in  Colorado,  and  having  experienced  here 
perfect  immunity  from  it  for  a  period  of  seven  years,  I 
know  whereof  I  speak. 

Of  the  thousands  of  consumptives  who  have  come  to 
Colorado  in  all  the  stages  of  all  of  the  varieties  of  the 
disease,  with  the  hope  of  an  immediate  cure,  many  have 
sadly  failed  to  realize  their  expectations,  and  the  effect  has 
been  to  bring  some  disrepute  upon  our  country  as  a  resort 
for  this  class  of  invalids.  A  careful  consideration  of  the 
effect  of  climate  upon  disease  and  the  kind  of  cases  that 
improve  here,  will,  I  trust,  make  it  one  of  the  most  popular 
places  upon  the  continent.  The  climatic  influences  upon 
the  general  health  is  stimulating  and  anti-scrofulous,  and  its 


Report  of  the  llouni  of  hnmigrotum,  / ,' 

tendency  upon  the  lungs  is  to  correct  abnormal  secretion; 
to  relieve  irritability  of  the  bronchi;  to  lessen  local  con 
tions  and  inflammations,  and  to  calcify  tuberculous  or  caseous 
deposits.  The  deep  and  full  inspirations  required  here  in- 
duce expansion  of  the  chest  and  stimulate  the  absorptions 
of  hepatizations. 

It  is  my  experience-  that  a  great  majority  ot  the  bronchial, 
pneumonic  and  febivid  forms  of  pulmonary  consumption, 
readily  give  way  to  the  healthful  influences  of  the  place, 
and  that  the  embolic  variety  may  be  checked  if  the  lesions 
are  not  too  great  and  too  many.  To  syphilitic  phthisis  the 
climate  can  only  serve  as  an  auxiliary  to  a  judicious  medi- 
cal treatment.  The  tubercular  or  scrofulous  consumption 
is  the  most  common  as  well  as  the  most  intractable  and 
destructive  type  of  the  disease,  yet  I  can  safely  say  that 
there  are  hundreds  who  came  to  Colorado  in  the  first  stage 
of  the  chronic  form  of  this  complaint,  who  are  now  enjoying 
all  that  pertains  to  a  healthful  life.  I  can  not,  however,  say 
that  ever}r  one  who  comes  thus  early  will  recover,  for  her- 
editary taint  or  acquired  predisposition  may  be  so  strong 
that  the  disease  will  go  progressively  through  all  of  its 
stages  to  a  fatal  termination.  After  the  second  stage  has 
been  reached,  a  few  cases  are  arrested,  and  now  and  then 
there  is  one  in  which  complete  recovery  takes  place.  As, 
lor  instance,  a  prominent  railroad  man  came  to  this  country 
in  this  condition  in  1867.  After  one  year's  residence  in 
which  some  improvement  took  place,  he  began  to  cough  up 
bloody  pus  and  calcarous  concretions,  the  largest  of  which 
were  the  size  of  a  white  bean  and  fully  as  hard  as  common 
chalk.  This  was  soon  followed  by  a  subsidence  of  the 
cough  and  restoration  to  health,  and  to-day  he  is  a  strong, 
able-bodied  man,  capable  of  great  endurance.  Acute  pul- 
monary tuberculosis  is  too  rapid  in  progress  to  b<:  con- 
trolled or  checked  by  change  of  climate.  If  there  is  great 
vascular  irritability  and  excitement  in  any  of  the  above 
mentioned  torms,  even  in  the  first  stages,  it  has  been  found 
that  the  climate  is  too  stimulating,  and  that  a  warmer  and 


Report  of  the  Board  'of  Immigration. 


moister  place  like  Florida,  is  better  suited  to  them.  I  must 
strongly  warn  persons  in  the  third  stage  of  pulmonary  con- 
sumption, or  even  after  the  breathing  capacity  has  been  di- 
minished one-fourth,  against  venturing  on  to  these  elevated 
plains,  because  too  great  an  increase  of  the  action  of  the 
respiratory  organs  tends  to  hasten,  instead  of  retard  a  fatal 
termination.  The  same  cause  is  applicable  to  any  forms  of 
organic  disease  of  the  heart,  excepting  that  induced  by 
asthma. 

The  most  desirable  place  of  residence  tor  consumptives 
is  upon  the  plains,  within  twenty  miles  of  the  foot-hills,  for 
this  portion  is  protected  from  the  dry  north  winds  by  spurs 
or  divides  from  the  main  range ;  and  furthermore,  there  is 
daily  an  interchange  of  currents  of  air  between  the  plains 
and  mountains,  similar  to  the  land  and  sea  breezes  upon  the 
beach. 

The  mountain  air  is  moister,  and,  mingling  with  the  dry 
atmosphere  of  the  plains,  relieves  it  of  any  harshness  it  may 
possess. 

I  would  advise  those  who  have  a  decided  predisposition 
to  hemorrhage  of  the  lungs,  and  others  suffering  from  great 
debility,  to  avoid  a  too  sudden  transition  from  dense  to  light 
atmosphere,  by  stopping  for  a  period  of  ten  days  at  Wallace 
in  Western  Kansas. 

To  the  young  of  consumptive  families,  Colorado  offers 
special  inducements,  for  here  many  a  brilliant  and  useful 
.lite,  that  might  be  lost  in  a  less  salubrious  climate  before 
reaching  the  meridian  of  manhood,  may  be  prolonged  to  a 
vigorous  old  age. 

The  wheat  of  Colorado  is  not  surpassed  in  quality  by 
any  raised  in  the  United  States ;  and  cattle  in  huge  herds 
wander  over  the  hills  and  plains,  finding  rich  sustenance  all 
the  year  round  in  the  prairie  grass ;  therefore,  breadstuffs 
and  beef  are  good,  plentitul  and  cheap,  which  is  an  advan- 
tage to  the  country  second  only  to  its  air,  it  being  a  known 
fact  that  in  regions  where  abundance  of  good  bread  and 


Report  of  the  Board  of  Immigration.  15 


beef,  with  all  their  rich,  blood-making  qualities,  are  within 
the  reach  of  every  family,  pulmonary  consumption  is  rarely 
prevalent. 

Denver  and  many  of  the  large  towns  and  colonies,  afford 
excellent  educational  advantages,  the  privileges  of  good 
society  and  business  opportunities  in  addition  to  their  sani- 
tary advantages. 

I  have  observed  that  many  of  the  epidemic  diseases  that 
extend  generally  through  the  Western  States,  have  reached 
us,  but  in  a  very  mild  form.  I  would  further  state  that 
contagious  diseases  become  mild,  as  a  rule,  after  one  or  two 
transmissions,  which  is  owing,  in  my  opinion,  to  the  par- 
tial drying  up  of  the  emanations  and  fomites,  and  thus 
rendering  them  less  virulent. 

The  climate  throughout  the  Territory  is  almost  free  from 
malarial  poison.  No  better  proof  of  the  general  healthful- 
ness  of  the  country  can  be  given  than  that  furnished  by  the 
last  health  report  of  the  city  of  Denver,  which  shows  the 
death  ratio  of  that  place  to  be  only  ten  (10)  to  every  one 
thousand  (1,000)  inhabitants,  a  fact  unequalled  in  any  other 
city  in  the  Union,  the  next  in  the  scale  being  Rochester, 
which  has  fifteen  to  every  one  thousand,  while  New  York 
has  thirty-two,  and  New  Orleans  fifty-four  to  every  one 
thousand. 

The  healthfulness  of  Colorado  arises  from  its  pure,  dry 
air ;  its  altitudes ;  its  many  bright,  sunshiny  days ;  its  uni- 
form and  highly  electrified  atmosphere ;  and  its  brilliant 
and  grand  scenery,  which  produces  cheerfulness  and  a  con 
tented  frame  of  mind.  It  is  impossible  for  me,  in  this  letter, 
to  enter  into  detail  in  describing  the  many  different  diseases 
that  ma}',  or  may  not  be  benefited  by  a  residence  here. 
There  are,  however,  but  a  few  of  the  curable  ailments  in 
persons  possessing  a  sound  heart,  that  may  not  be  relieved 
or  mitigated  by  dwelling  for  a  few  weeks  or  months  in  this 
climate. 

I  believe  that  any  person  with  a  fair  constitution,  who 
settles  in  any  portion  of  Colorado,  stands  a  better  chance  of 


16  Report  of  the  Board  of  Immigration. 


enjoying  a  healthful  life,  and  of  finally  attaining  the  full 
period  allotted  to  man — three  score  years  and  ten — than  in 
any  other  part  of  the  Union. 

Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

F.  J.  BANCROFT,  M.  D. 

POPULATION. 

The  Board,  at  its  meeting  in  January,  1873,  estimated 
from  data  at  hand  that  the  population  at  that  date  was  100,- 
OOO,  and  think  it  reliable  and  safe  to  say  that  it  has  increased 
25,000  in  the  past  year,  making  a  population  of  125,000. 

In  making  this  calculation,  they  take  the  vote  of  the 
people  at  the  fall  election,  which  was  20,544 ;  it  is  safe  to 
say  from  the  information  received  that  the  registered  vote 
was  fully  25,000.  Five  thousand  male  adults,  who  arrived 
in  the  Territory  too  late  to  become  voters  at  the  fall  election, 
would  make  a  voting  population  at  this  date  of  30,000. 
Taking  the  late  United  States  census  as  a  basis,  the  popula- 
tion was  four  and  a  half  souls  to  each  vote  in  1870;  at  this 
date  we  believe  it  to  be  at  least  five  souls,  but  at  four  and  a 
half  it  would,  give  a  population  of  135,000;  at  the  same 
time  the  Board  do  not  estimate  over  125,000.  The  agricul- 
tural districts  have  gained  the  most  population,  although 
Park  County  has  more  than  doubled. 

The  Secretary  of  the  Board  is  daily  in  receipt  of  letters 
from  parties  in  every  State  in  the  Union,  in  reference  to 
settlement  in  Colorado,  even  this  late  in  the  winter.  Com- 
mittees of  several  colonies  have  called  for  information,  and 
after  examining  the  resources  of  the  Territory,  have  decided 
to  locate  early  in  the  spring.  The  Board,  after  careful  esti- 
mates, feel  warranted  in  saying  that  the  population  of  the 
Territory  will  increase  fully  30,000  souls  in  1874. 

As  one  evidence  of  the  increase  in  the  past  year,  they 
submit  the  following  statement  of  the  business  of  the  Den- 
ver Post  Office  for  the  three  quarters  of  the  year  1873, 
ending  September  3Oth  : 


Report  of  the  Board  of  Immigration. 


Total  Money-Order  business  has  amounted  to $373*698  35 

An  increase  of  over  100  per  cent,  in  past  year. 

United  States  postage  stamps  cancelled  on  letters 
and  papers  from  July  1st,  1873,  to  October  1st, 
1873 8,250  oo 

Sold  during  the  same  time 7,66i   70 

The  last  statement  shows  the  influx  of  population,  as  all 
parties  coming  to  Colorado  bring  stamps  with  them,  think- 
ing they  may  locate  at  some  point  where  they  can  not  be 
obtained. 

The  numerous  Post  Offices  throughout  the  Territory 
have  increased  their  business  in  like  manner  as  the  Denver 
Post  Office.  It  is  safe  to  say  that  the  increase  in  postal 
matter  in  the  Territory  has  been  fully  100  per  cent 

The  following  table  will  show  the  transactions  of  the 
Denver  Post  Office  for  the  three  quarters  ending  September 
30th,  1873: 

Unpaid  letters $       14304 

Newspaper  postage 984  75 

Waste  paper 34  oo 

Box  rent 5,99°  °° 

Stamps  and  envelopes  sold 20,962  35 

—  528,114  14 

Route  Agents  and  Messengers  paid $   4,388  16 

Department  drafts  paid 14,209  43 

-    18,597  59 

Registered  letters  mailed 1,688 

Registered  letters  received  for  delivery..  3,584 

Registered  letters  in  transit 13,096 

WEALTH  OF  COLORADO. 

From  the  returns  made  to  the  Auditor  of  the  Territory, 
of  the  assessed  value  of  property  in  the  Territory,  we  find 
that  in  the  year — 

1871,  it  was  in  round  numbers $24,000,000  oo 

1872,  do.         do.         do 31,000,000  oo 

1873,  do.         do.         do 36,000,000  oo 

Showing  an  increase  of  values,  as  assessed,  of  $12,000,000, 
in  the  past  two  years.  The  full  increase  for  1873  can  not 
be  shown,  for  the  reason  that  the  assessment  commences 

(2) 


i8 


Report  of  the  Board  of  Immigration. 


on  the  first  day  of  May  of  each  year.  The  general  improve- 
ments of  all  descriptions  in  the  mountains  and  on  the  plains 
are  usually  made  after  that  date.  As  an  example,  since  the 
first  day  of  May  last,  the  valuation  of  buildings  erected  in 
the  city  of  Denver  alone  exceeds  $1,000,000.  It  has  been 
the  same  throughout  all  portions  of  the  Territory.  One 
hundred  miles  of  railroad  have  been  completed  since  that 
date  ;  over  one  hundred  miles  of  grading  done  for  new  lines; 
so  that  in  railway  building  alone  there  has  been  an  increase 
of  over  $2,000,000. 

Taking  all  the  data  at  hand  and  from  reliable  information 
from  all  parts  of  the  Territory,  the  Board  think  that  they 
are  safe  in  saying  in  this  connection  that  the  assessment  at 
this  date  would  reach  $50,000,000.  The  assessors  through- 
out the  Territory  do  not  generally  assess  over  50  per  cent. 
to  65  per  cent,  of  the  true  value  of  the  real  or  personal 
estate.  In  the  matter  of  stock,  roaming  over  such  a  vast 
area,  it  is  conceded  that  about  60  per  cent,  only  get  on  the 
assessor's  roll.  Leaving  out  the  mines  in  our  estimate  of 
the  true  value  of  real  and  personal  property  in  Colorado, 
the  Board  think  they  are  safe  at  placing  it  at  $70,000,000. 

The  past  year  has  been  one  of  great  progress  throughout 
all  sections  of  the  Territory,  and  the  great  development 
made  in  all  branches  of  industry  has  been  astonishing  and 
productive.  The  Territory  levied  no  tax  in  the  year  1872, 
and  no  tax  has  as  yet  been  paid  in  1873,  and  only  a  levy  of 
one  and  a  half  mills  made  for  the  year.  The  Territory  has 
no  debt  of  any  description,  and  a  balance  in  the  treasury. 
The  Board  think  that  they  can  point  with  pride  to  the 
financial  and  prosperous  condition  of  Colorado ;  no  com- 
munity has  felt  the  present  commercial  panic  so  little  as 
have  the  people  of  Colorado.  Around  the  commercial  cen- 
tres, within  her  limits,  there  is  more  real  cash  and  stable 
convertible  values  than  there  is  in  any  other  community, 
taking  population  as  a  ratio.  Her  banks  are  all  sound  and 
unlimited  confidence  is  reposed  in  them  by  the  people ;  no 
cessation  of  business  has  been  experienced ;  loans  to  depos- 


o/  tlit    ttinini  ,//"  Immigration. 


itors  have  been   constantly  allowed  ;   interest  on   1 
scarcely  received   even  a  temporary  excitement;   real  estate 
is  continually  rising  through  all  the  wild    reports  of  the 
panic  in  the   Mast;  and  merchants  hold  their  positions  in 
the  community  just  the  same  as  before. 

AGRICULTURE. 

Your  Board  would  congratulate  the  representatives  of 
the  Territory  in  the  great  progress  which  has  been  made 
in  the  department  of  agriculture.  The  pre-eminence  which 
has  been  shown  in  eastern  markets  for  the  article  of  Colo- 
rado flour  alone  is  a  source  of  great  gratification.  We  are 
informed  that  large  orders  have  been  sent  to  this  Territory 
from  Boston  for  flour,  which  commands  a  higher  price  there 
than  the  flour  of  any  other  State  or  Territory'  in  the  United 
States.  It  has  been  well  established,  especially  on  the  tes- 
timony of  Mr.  R.  S.  Little,  of  Littleton,  that  we  can  ship 
Colorado  flour  to  Boston,  with  a  very  good  margin  of  profit, 
thus  opening  a  new  market  which  cannot  but  give  to  the 
farmers  an  important  inducement  in  raising  wheat.  Our 
flour  commands  $12.50  per  barrel  of  200  pounds;  the 
charges  of  shipment  are  not  more  than  52.50,  thus  realizing 
$5.00  per  100  pounds  to  the  shipper.  This  will  ensure  to 
the  farmer  a  remunerative  price  for  his  wheat  and  its  con- 
version into  flour;  and  will  also  encourage  the  building  of 
a  large  number  of  mills.  The  yield  of  the  wheat  crop  con- 
tinues at  about  25  or  26  bushels  to  the  acre  of  average  for 
irrigated  lands  ;  the  steady  increase  of  the  wheat  crop  keeps 
pace  with  the  increase  of  our  population,  and  the  area  of 
cultivated  lands,  and  as  new  facilities  are  offered  for  irrigat- 
ing a  larger  area  of  land,  and  on  a  more  economical  basis, 
it  is  easily  demonstrated  that  ere  long,  we  shall  assume  the 
character  of  exporters  rather  than  importers — which  hitherto 
has  been  the  case — and  the  balance  of  trade  will  be  much 
in  our  favor. 

Let   any  one  take  a  tour  of  the  valleys  of  the  Platte, 
Clear  Creek,  Ralston,  Boulder,  the  Big  and  Little  Thomp- 


2O  Report  of  the  Board  of  Immigration. 

son,  the  Cache  la  Poudre,  and  down  south  on  the  Arkansas, 
the  Huerfano,  the  Fountaine,  and  the  rich  and  magnificent 
farms  which  are  being  constantly  opened  up,  will  show  to 
him  at  a  glance  how  rapidly  and  extensively  the  farming 
interest  is  improving.  The  numerous  farmers'  clubs,  and 
organizations  being  formed  all  over  the  Territory,  tell  con- 
clusively the  growing  wealth  and  power  of  this  great 
branch  of  our  resources.  Scarcely  a  settlement  can  now 
be  found  in  the  whole  of  our  broad  agricultural  area,  where 
there  does  not  exist  an  organization  of  farmers.  They  meet 
together  to  talk  over  their  plans  and  compare  notes  how 
they  can  best  economize  the  fruits  of  their  labors,  which 
must  of  necessity  bring  about  new  avenues  of  practical 
wealth.  It  is  in  the  success  of  the  farmers  that  the  whole 
country  will  attain  a  large  share  of  internal  greatness. 

The  value  of  the  agricultural  crop  of  1868,  was  not  over 
$2,000,000;  in  1870,  it  was  not  much  over  $3,500,000;  in 
1872,  it  was  at  least  $4,000,000;  while  in  1873,  the  esti- 
mated value  of  the  crop  is  $5,000,000. 

IRRIGATION. 

Owing  to  the  popular  cry  of  more  ditches  and  more  lands 
to  cultivate,  all  classes  of  our  people  have  been  devising 
every  means  in  their  power  to  accomplish  a  net  work  or 
system  of  irrigation  to  cover  the  whole  available  expanse  of 
our  Territory.  The  different  conventions  which  have  met 
and  the  constant  beseiging  of  the  Government  by  promi- 
nent men  who  have  visited  our  Territory,  and  the  letters 
and  newspaper  correspondence  upon  the  subject  of  irriga- 
tion, have  at  last  obtained  from  the  President  a  warm  re- 
commendation to  Congress  for  the  construction  of  an 
irrigating  canal  from  the  Rocky  Mountains  to  the  Missouri 
River,  and  the  suggestion  of  an  appropriation  to  make 
habitable  to  the  pioneer  farmer,  what  has  been  called  "  the 
desert  wilderness  "  west  of  the  Missouri. 


Report  of  the  Board  of  Immigration.  21 

PASTORAL  AGRICULTURE. 

This  branch  of  our  commercial  wealth  is  constantly  on 
the  increase.  The  returns  of  the  assessor  do  not  give  above 
one-half  of  the  real  value  of  our  cattle  and  sheep.  There 
are  great  numbers  of  them,  particularly  the  former,  that 
the  assessor  cannot  reach,  on  account  of  the  extent  of  the 
country  over  which  they  are  herded,  the  owners,  in  a  great 
many  cases,  knowing  that  there  is  no  possible  mode  of  as- 
certaining the  exact  truth  of  returns,  give  very  low  esti- 
mates of  the  amount  and  value  of  their  stock. 

Every  one  upon  visiting  our  broad  pampas  are  struck 
with  wonder  at  the  immense  herds  of  cattle  and  sheep,  con- 
stantly improving  in  the  quality  of  their  breed,  and  gradu- 
ally taking  the  place  of  the  wild  animals  who  have  roamed 
over  them  for  ages,  and  cannot  but  notice  the  difference  in 
the  returns  of  the  assessors  and  the  actual  fact  as  displayed 
by  a  visit  to  the  camps  of  the  cattle  kings.  The  gaunt, 
muscular  frame  of  the  Texas  cow  is  being  replaced,  rounded 
and  filled  up  with  the  sleek,  rotund,  straight-backed,  deep- 
chested  Durhams,  Herefords  and  Devons. 

The  Jerseys  and  the  Galloways  are  to  be  found  here  in 
considerable  numbers  ;  every  day  the  herds  of  our  blooded 
stock  are  receiving  additions.  Our  sheep  grazers  are  fast 
depleting  the  wild  haunts  of  Texas  of  their  large-bodied, 
degenerated,  Mexican  half-goat,  half-cayote,  and  crossing 
them  with  the  pure-blooded  Spanish  and  French  merinos, 
producing  a  fleece  of  a  high  value,  and  at  a  cost  insignifi- 
cant, indeed,  as  compared  with  the  flocks  of  the  Eastern 
States,  and  which  will  ever  command  for  Colorado  wool  as 
high  a  status  in  the  market,  for  quality  as  well  as  quantity, 
as  is  now  found  for  Colorado  wheat  and  Colorado  flour. 

The  returns  to  the  Auditor  of  the  Territory  show  that 
there  are  300,000  head  of  cattle  and  315,000  head  of  sheep 
in  the  Territory. 

From  J.  L.  Bailey,  Esq.,  President  of  the  Stock  Growers' 
Association  of  Colorado,  we  are  authorized  to  state  that  at 


22    '  Report  of  the  Board  of  Immigration. 


least  fifty  per  cent.'  can  be  added  to  the  numbers  thus  re- 
turned, making  450,000  head  of  cattle  and  472,000  head  of 
sheep.  Cattle,  sheep  and  horses  live  and  thrive  the  year 
round  upon  the  native  grasses  of  the  plains.  Only  those 
that  are  used  for  work  have  to  be  fed,  consequently  the  cost 
of  raising  stock  in  this  region  is  very  trifling  compared  with 
like  expense  in  most  parts  of  the  county  where  they  have 
to  be  fed(  during  more  than  half  the  year. 

RAILWAYS. 

Commercial  wealth,  as  a  rule,  always  follows  the  wake  of 
railroads.  In  1861,  and  as  late  as  1866,  the  prediction  that 
in  the  confines  of  Colorado  "five  railroads  would  be  cen- 
tered," was  received  with  a  sneer  and  a  smile,  but  in  a  few 
years  what  a  change  has  been  witnessed  in  the  physical 
development  of  our  country.  Now,  in  1873,  we  have  six 
railroads,  making  Colorado  the  focus  of  a  railroad  system 
which  might  form  sufficient  capital  for  many  an  Eastern 
State  to  indulge  in  self-congratulation  and  egotism.  The 
whole  area  of  our  Territory  occupied  as  centres  of  trade 
and  population,  is  permeated  by  some  line  of  railroad.  We 
have  longitudinal  lines  connecting  the  North  and  South 
and  latitudinal  branches,  either  built  or  being  built,  radiat- 
ing in  all  directions.  As  each  new  region  of  agriculture  or 
mining  is  developing,  the  annihilation  of  distance  by  means 
of  railroad,  becomes  an  immediate  paramount  necessity. 

We  have  now  the  following  railroads  in  running  order  : 

KANSAS  PACIFIC,  connecting  Northern  Colorado  with 
St.  Louis  and  Chicago,  within  our  Territorial 
boundary 210  miles 

DENVER  PACIFIC,  forming  a  connection  with  the  Union 

Pacific  Continental  Railway 106  " 

DENVER  &  Rio  GRANDE  (narrow  gauge)  on  its  way 
to  the  Mexican  coast,  connecting  Northern  and 
Southern  Colorado 162  " 

COLORADO  CENTRAL,  opening  up  the  great  gold  and 

silver  region 41  " 

KANSAS  PACIFIC,  KIT  CARSON  &  FORT  LYON,  open- 
ing up  the  old  overland  Santa  Fe  and  Arkansas 


Report  of  the  Board  of  Immigration.  23 


River  Trail,  and  the  rich  country  of  Southern 
Colorado 54  " 

DI-.NVI  u  \  Hofi.DKR  VAI.I.KY,  from  Denver  to  Erie, 
Valmont  and  IJoulder,  opening  the  rich  mineral 
region  of  ('arihou  and  Gold  Hill 39  " 

GOLDI  N  «\  It  i  I.SBURG,  completed  to  Longmont,  tra- 
versing the  fine  farming  valleys  of  Northern 
Colorado 30  " 

Total 642  miles 


THE.  MINES. 

The  following,  from  the  pen  of  Hon.  Frank  Hall,  repre- 
sents our  paramount  industry  : 

Since  the  last  session  of  the  Legislature  extraordinary 
strides  have  been  made  in  the  material  development  of  the 
numerous  mineral  belts  previously  explored,  and  in  the 
matter  of  discoveries  hitherto  unknown.  The  South  Park, 
Hall's  Gulch,  Gold  Hill,  San  Juan,  Hardscrabble,  Geneva 
Gulch,  many  parts  of  Lake  County  along  the  Arkansas 
river,  and  a  remote  district  located  near  the  "Mount  of  the 
Holy  Cross,"  present  notable  illustrations  of  this  latter  fact, 
while  the  renewed  activity  everywhere  exhibited  in  the 
more  prominent  of  the  older  districts,  has  been  marked  by 
constantly  increasing  production  of  the  precious  metals. 
Many  of  the  principal  veins  of  Gilpin  County,  conceded  by 
experienced  native  and  foreign  investigators  to  be  the  rich- 
est gold  bearing  section  of  its  area  in  the  world, — which,  by 
reason  of  litigation,  abandonment  by  their  Eastern  owners, 
and  other  causes,  had  for  some  years  prior  to  the  last  bien- 
nial term  lain  wholly  idle  and  unproductive,  have  at  length 
been  reopened,  and  their  treasure  poured  into  the  channels 
of  trade  and  commerce.  Large  numbers  of  veins  on  the 
mountain  slopes,  upon  which  the  original  discoverers  and 
owners  had  made  no  further  improvement  than  was  required 
under  miners'  laws  to  hold  them  by  record,  have  been  oc- 
cupied, opened  and  rendered  available  for  the  purposes  of 
their  creation.  Similar  advancement  prevails  in  Clear  Creek, 


2  j.  Report  of  the  Board  of  Immigration. 

Park,  Lake,  Boulder,  and  Summit  counties.  Under  its  sus- 
taining influence  trade  is  prosperous,  labor  abundant  and 
well  paid,  the  population  rapidly  increasing. 

New  methods  of  working,  improved  appliances  for  the 
more  certain  and  economical  extraction  of  gold  and  silver 
from  their  matrices,  combined  with  general  concentration, 
and  systemization  of  operative  forces  have  been  employed 
as  powerful  aids  for  bringing  to  the  pursuit  of  mining  the 
substantial  progress  it  now  assumes.  Along  the  Clear  Creek 
Valley  from  Georgetown  and  Empire  to  the  eastern  limits 
of  the  county,  evidences  of  unusual  activity  are  seen  on 
every  hand.  The  lodes  are  yielding  large  quantities  of 
bullion,  mostly  silver,  and  capital  is  supplying  the  means 
for  a  much  greater  expansion  of  this  industry. 

In  Park,  Lake,  and  Summit  counties  the  gulch  miners, 
wisely  availing  themselves  of  improved  systems  adopted  in 
California  and  elsewhere,  have  been  enabled  to  work  with 
greater  facility  than  ever  before,  and  with  corresponding 
financial  results.  Many  new  discoveries  of  gold  and  silver 
mines  in  quartz  have  also  been  exposed  during  the  year 
just  closed. 

Probably  the  most  productive  of  the  new  districts  is  that 
known  as  "  Mount  Lincoln,"  on  whose  lofty  and  precipi- 
tous slopes  untold  wealth  has  been  unearthed  by  the  exer- 
tions of  the  restless  prospector.  The  deposits  are  essential- 
ly different  from  any  of  those  elsewhere  made  known 
among  the  mountains  of  Colorado,  and  form  a  valuable  and 
most  interesting  feature  of  our  mineral  resources.  The 
ores  are  found  in  limestone  formations  which  compose  the 
exterior  crust  of  the  mountain,  and  in  layers,  or  strata, 
(dipping  to  the  east  and  into  the  mountain  at  an  angle  of 
twenty  degrees)  making  the  process  of  extraction  easy,  and 
from  their  great  extent  and  richness  highly  profitable.  The 
principal  mine,  and  one  highly  characteristic  of  the  lime- 
stone region,  is  the  "Moose"  mine.  This  mine,  discovered 
in  the  Fall  of  1871,  has  produced  an  enormous  quantity  of 
high  grade  ore,  which  has  given  a  desirable  impetus  to  the 


Report  of  the  Board  of  Immigration. 


mining  interest  of  Park  County.  The  Territorial  Assayer 
for  that  district  has  given  some  statistics,  from  which  we 
see  that  the  yield  from  this  mine  alone  has  been  sufficient 
to  not  only  pay  for  all  the  outlay  necessary  in  developing 
the  mine,  such  as  building  houses,  constructing  wagon 
roads,  etc.,  but  has  also  afforded  a  large  profit  to  the  owners. 
The  character  ot  the  ore  from  this  mine  is  an  argentiferous 
galena  with  copper  pyrites.  The  "  Dolly  Varden,"  "  Hia- 
watha," and  several  other  mines  of  this  District  are  essen- 
tially similar  in  all  respects,  being  stratafied  veins  and 
pitching  with  the  limestone.  The  proximity  of  these  mines 
to  the  extensive  pastoral  lands  of  the  South  Park  affords  an 
opportunity  to  the  miner  to  supply  himself  with  cheap 
beef,  mutton  and  agricultural  supplies.  Two  smelting  works 
have  been  established  and  a  third  is  in  process  of  building 
near  at  hand,  which  furnish  immediate  markets,  with  lucra- 
tive returns,  for  ores  of  all  grades.  The  hundreds  called 
there  by  the  advantages  presented,  caused  the  expansion  of 
the  small  settlement  of  Fairplay  into  a  large  and  active 
town.  Early  last  autumn  it  was  partially  destroyed  by  fire, 
but  will  undoubtedly  be  rebuilt  the  coming  Spring. 

The  next  new  district  of  importance  is  Gold  Hill,  situate 
in  Boulder  County,  about  twelve  miles  west  of  the  County 
Seat.  This  fruitful  section  was  occupied  to  some  extent 
as  early  as  1859,  and  considerable  prospecting  done  in  the 
two  or  three  years  following  that  memorable  epoch.  It 
was  then  practically  abandoned  until  about  the  beginning 
of  the  past  year  when  work  was  resumed.  The  town  of 
Gold  Hill,  beautifully  situated  on  the  crest  of  the  first  range 
of  mountains,  overlooking  the  Boulder  Valley,  now  num- 
bers some  three  hundred  actual  residents;  has  from  seventy- 
five  to  a  hundred  substantial  buildings,  two  or  three  excel- 
lent hotels,  supply  stores,  and  other  institutions  suited  to 
the  wants  of  such  a  community.  Among  the  more  con- 
spicuous producers  of  mineral  is  the  "  Red  Cloud,"  the  first 
in  which  tellurium  ores  were  noticed,  and  which  up  to  this 
time  has  yielded  large  quantities  of  it.  The  main  shaft  is 


26  Report  of  the  Board  of  Immigration. 

now  something  over  three  hundred  feet  deep,  from  which 
eight  hundred  feet  of  levels  have  been  driven  into  the  vein. 
In  a  recent  communication  to  the  Central  City  Register, 
Prof.  J.  Alden  Smith,  Territorial  Geologist,  published  the 
fact  that  he  saw  in  the  office  of  the  Superintendent,  near  the 
mine,  a  dozen  or  more  sacks  of  mineral  estimated  upon 
previous  actual  products  from  a  like  collection  to  be  worth 
about  $5.00  per  pound,  or  $10,000  per  ton,  and  pieces  could 
be  selected  from  the  lot  that  would  yield  at  the  rate  of 
$100,000  per  ton  in  gold.  "Besides  this  very  rich  mate- 
rial," he  says,  "there  is  raised  a  considerable  amount  of 
second-class,  worth  from  $400  to  $600  per  ton,  and  very 
large  quantities  of  third-class,  worth  from  $80  to  $120  per 
ton."  The  lode  is  of  the  character  known  to  mining  geol- 
ogy as  a  "contact  vein,"  standing  between  a  dyke  of  light 
gray  porphyry  on  the  north,  and  granite  on  the  south  side; 
is  well  defined,  strong,  and  very  large.  Resembling  it  in 
general  characteristics,  and  located  within  a  few  yards  of 
the  "Red  Cloud,"  is  the  "Cold  Spring."  The  shaft  is  160 
feet  deep,  carrying  a  vast  amount  of  rich  tellurides,  distrib- 
uted throughout  a  vein  of  crevice  matter  from  ten  to  fifteen 
feet  wide,  a  selected  sample  of  which  gave,  by  assay, 
$133,509  per  ton  in  gold  and  silver,  or  at  the  rate  of  $66.75 
per  pound.  The  specimen  from  which  this  assay  was  made 
weighed  seven  pounds,  and  there  was  no  metallic  gold  or 
silver  visible  in  it,  either  .before  or  after  it  was  pulverized. 
Blocks  of  five  to  ten  pounds  weight  are  frequently  taken 
out  which  are  worth,  that  is  to  say,  will  yield,  from  $5  to 
$15  per  pound.  These  two  mines  are  undoubtedly  pro- 
ducing, in  quantity,  the  richest  ores  of  any  within  our 
knowledge.  A  number  of  other  veins,  among  them  the 
"Forest"  and  the  "Cash,"  though  less  extensively  opened, 
indicate  like  character  and  value.  The  collection  of  mine- 
rals sent  from  there  to  the  last  annual  exposition  of  the 
Colorado  Industrial  Association,  excited  the  surprise  and 
admiration  of  all  who  examined  them.  Several  parties  in 
England,  experienced  in  mineralogy,  attracted  by  reports, 


Report  of  the  Board  of  Imniigration.  27 

sent  agents  to  these  mines  instructed  to  carefully  select  and 
ship  to  them  samples  of  all  grades  of  ores,  in  order  that 
they  might  determine  for  themselves  the  truth  or  falsity  of 
their  reputed  value.  During  the  year  now  begun  this  re- 
gion will  acquire  a  large  increase  of  capital  and  numbers, 
and  become  one  of  our  most  productive  fields  of  enterprise. 

The  Caribou  District  continues  to  be  highly  prosperous. 
The  great  silver  fissure  which  gave  the  district  its  name  was 
sold  during  1873  to  a  company  of  Hollanders,  under  whose 
management  it  is  now  paying  a  liberal  interest  on  the 
$3,000,000  invested.  Other  mines  in  the  neighborhood  are 
being  prosecuted  with  profitable  results. 

The  interval  of  two  years  between  the  Ninth  and  Tenth 
Legislatures  has  witnessed  the  discovery  of  a  point  near  the 
southwestern  corner  of  our  Territory,  in  the  San  Juan  range 
of  mountains,  of  a  belt  of  mineral  veins  whose  ores  give 
evidence  of  great  strength,  richness  and  permanence.  Hun- 
dreds have  flocked  thither,  as  is  usual  where  excitement 
leads  the  way,  but,  as  yet,  little  has  been  done  beyond  the 
extension  of  prospecting  over  a  large  surface  of  country, 
owing,  measurably,  to  the  lack  of  machinery  for  reduction, 
and  its  remoteness  from  the  chief  market  towns.  Several 
thrifty  settlements  have  sprung  up.  Many  splendid  lodes 
have  been  opened,  and  no  doubt  the  succeeding  twelve- 
months will  witness  a  heavy  lodgement  of  people  there. 
The  Indian  title  to  the  lands  so  occupied  has  been,  or  soon 
will  be,  extinguished  by  the  general  government,  and  the 
whole  of  this  immense  and  extremely  opulent  belt  of  veins 
thrown  open  to  American  enterprise. 

In  four  of  the  leading  districts,  smelting  establishments, 
wherein  the  crude  material  is  reduced  to  bullion,  are  in  full 
operation,  producing,  in  the  last  current  year,  about 
$3,500,000  of  gold  and  silver.  The  largestrof  these,  lo- 
cated at  Black  Hawk,  is  now  shipping  between  four  and 
five  thousand  pounds  of  nearly  pure  silver  monthly,  beside 
a  vast  amount  of  gold  bullion.  Other  methods  of  treat- 
ment, operating  in  Gilpin,  Clear  Creek,  Park  and  Jefferson 


28  Report  'of  the  Board  of  Immigration. 

counties,  have  proven  very  successful.  These  advantages 
will  be  enlarged  as  the  necessities  of  mining  may  demand. 

Events  are  continually  apprising  us  of  the  fa6l  that  the 
mineral  resources  of  that  portion  of  the  Rocky  Mountains 
included  within  our  Territorial  boundaries,  are  illimitable, 
and  practically  inexhaustible,  embracing  nearly  every  use- 
ful mineral  known  to  science.  Also,  that  as  yet  their  de- 
velopment is  scarcely  more  than  entered  upon.  Each  year 
brings  to  light  new  and  wonderful  discoveries,  opens  wide 
avenues  to  labor,  and  returns  generous  revenues  to  the 
country.  While  one  class  of  people  are  engaged  in  pro- 
ducing, another  turns  its  attention  to  the  work  of  explora- 
tion, and  no  year  passes  without  its  rewards  to  both  classes. 
Thus  we  are  constantly  expanding  this  particular  branch 
of  industry  and  as  constantly  offering  lucrative  employment 
to  skilled  and  unskilled  immigrants. 

The  laws  of  Congress,  enacted  for  the  better  regulation 
of  titles  to  this  class  of  properties,  imperfect  as  they  are, 
have  answered  a  much  better  purpose  than  those  furnished 
by  the  Territorial  Legislatures.  Every  claim  now  taken  is 
made  to  cover  fifteen  hundred  linear  feet  on  each  vein  dis- 
covered after  the  passage  of  the  act  (1870)  together  with 
ample  surface  ground  for  buildings,  machinery,  waste  piles, 
etc.,  while,  under  local  laws,  all  claimants,  except  the  dis- 
coverer, were  limited  to  one  hundred  feet,  and  he  to  two 
hundred.  The  new  arrangement  conveys  possession  to  a 
single  claim  large  enough  to  be  worked  advantageously, 
under  the  best  systems,  by  individuals  01"  capitalized  asso- 
ciations ;  avoids  a  multiplicity  ot  ownerships  which  was  the 
curse  of  earlier  times  ;  encourages  improvement  and  secures 
to  the  prospector  valuable  rights  not  granted  by  the  old 
usages.  Miners  may  obtain  government  patents  to  their 
lodes,  which'  not  only  gives  them  permanent  and  secure 
possession,  but  confers  the  additional  blessing  of  taxation 
for  the  support  of  the  State,  a  privilege  not  extended  by 
statutes  of  their  own  making.  On  the  tenth  of  June,  1874, 
what  is  known  as  the  "forfeiture  clause"  of  the  Congres- 


Report  of  the  Board  of  Immigration.  29 

sional  Act  of  1870  takes  effect.  It  provides  that  all  claims 
not  patented  nor  protected  by  applications  for  patents,  or 
represented  by  a  certain  amount  of  improvements  during 
the  previous  year,  shall  be  forfeited  to  the  government,  and 
subject  to  relocation  by  any  one  who  will  supply  the  de- 
ficiency. This  evidently  means  that  the  mines  are  to  be 
worked  and  not  held  for  an  indefinite  period  as  unproductive 
properties  by  the  tenure  of  a  simple  record.  Its  enforce- 
ment will  obliterate  thousands  of  paper  titles,  and  afford  the 
industrial  classes  many  opportunities  for  acquiring  valuable 
gold  and  silver  mines,  beside  giving  new  impetus  to  devel- 
opment. 

It  is  impossible  to  comprehend  within  the  brief  space  al-- 
lotted  to  this  department,  anything  more  than  a  mere  out- 
line view  of  the  condition  of  this  great  branch  of  industry. 
That  it  is  remunerative,  wherever  conducted  according  to 
correct  principles,  such  as  obtain  in  all  other  channels 
of  production  in  established  centres,  is  abundantly  demon- 
strated by  the  results  achieved,  and  it  is  equally  certain 
that  the  increase  of  yields  from  year  to  year  is  indicative  of 
steady  progression.  With  the  passage  of  time  come  the 
valuable  deductions  of  experience,  which  we  are  permitted 
to  use  as  forcible  instruments  to  our  further  advancement. 
The  revelations  of  science,  judiciously  applied,  furnish  new 
power  for  the  accomplishment  of  ends  hitherto  unattainable. 
The  annual  importation  of  skilled  laborers,  now  becoming 
an  essential  part  of  the  fixed  population  of  all  mining 
sections,  brings  another  substantial  element  of  prosperity. 
But  the  field  is  broad,  capable  of  indefinite  expansion,  fur- 
nishing homes  and  employment  to  thousands.  It  is  a  field 
in  which  competition  benefits  every  member  of  society,  and 
in  which  there  is  no  obnoxious  rivalry.  Fire  has  taken  the 
place  of  water  and  iron  stamps  in  the  treatment  of  refractory 
ores,  how  successfully  is  evidenced  by  the  increasing  de- 
mand upon  it,  and  the  growth  of  those  towns  where  it  is 
employed  as  a  reducing  agent. 


jo  Report  of  the  Board  of  Immigration. 

From  the  foregoing  facts  it  may  be  safely  predicted,  we 
think,  that  within  the  next  biennial  term,  the  five  millions 
in  gold  and  silver  produced  in  Colorado  during  1873,  will 
be  doubled  in  the  present  fiscal  term,  and  that  the  number 
of  people  actively  engaged  in  mining,  and  supported  by  it, 
will  be  increased  an  hundred  fold. 

COAL  FIELDS  OF  COLORADO. 

The  following  article,  written  by  F.  F.  Wagenen,  of 
Georgetown,  fully  represents  one  of  the  most  beneficial  and 
profitable  resources  of  Colorado : 

The  area  of  land  known  to  be  rich  in  coal  deposits  in 
•Colorado  is  about  7,200  square  miles,  lying  in  various  parts 
of  the  Territory,  on  both  sides  of  the  main  range.  There 
can  hardly  be  a  doubt  but  that  this  extent  will  be  largely 
increased  in  years,  for  new  discoveries  are  constantly  being 
made  upon  the  foot-hills  and  plains. 

Our  coal  lands  may  be  separated  under  heads  depending 
more  upon  their  geographical  position  than  upon  the  char- 
acter of  the  fuel,  viz  : 

First — The  Northern  mines. 
Second — The  Eastern  foot-hill  mines.    . 
Third — The  Southern  mines. 
Fourth — The  Summit  County  mines. 
Fifth — The  Conejos  County  mines. 

Of  the  first  but  little  is  known.  Weld  and  Larimer 
counties  are  undoubtedly  underlaid  by 

VEINS  OF  LIGNITE 

similar  to  those  of  Wyoming,  which  are  at  present  furnish- 
ing an  excellent  fuel  for  steam  engines,  domestic  purposes, 
and  for  some  metallurgical  processes.  Coke  made  from 
the  Wyoming  coal  fields  was  tried  at  both  Golden  and 
Denver  for  smelting  silver  and  gold  ores,  and  though  sub- 
sequently discarded  in  favor  of  Pennsylvania  coke,  is  con- 
sidered to  be  a  fair  fuel. 


Report  of  the  />W;v/  </  Immigt\r  ji 

The  Eastern  foot-hill  mines  embrace  the  viens  outcrop- 
ping in  Boulder  and  Jefferson  counties,  nearly  all  of  which 
have  been  known  since  the  early  days.  They  are  produc- 
ing at  present  three-fifths  of  all  the  coal  mined  in  Colorado, 
which  is  about  120,000  tons,  and  being  located  nearer  the 
centre  of  population  than  any  of  the  other  fields,  will  prob- 
ably hold  this  prominent  position  for  a  long  time.  Among 
the  noted  mines  are  the  Murphy,  Marshall,  Erie,  and  Da- 
vidson. 

THE  MURPHY  VEIN 

stands  nearly  vertically,  with  an  occasional  dip  to  the  east 
or  west.  Its  course  is  about  north  20°  west,  magnetic,  and 
its  thickness  from  twelve  to  eighteen  feet  of  solid  coal,  with 
scarcely  a  parting  of  shale  or  slate.  The  main  workings 
now  lie  mostly  upon  the  north  side  of  Ralston  creek,  which 
has  cut  through  the  bed  and  exposed  its  outcroppings  very 
markedly  on  either  side.  Nearly  2,000  feet  of  the  vein  is 
opened,  and,  in  fact,  much  more  work  has  been  done  than 
the  cut  indicates.  The  coal  is  a  very  good  sample  of  the 
product  of  all  the  foot-hill  mines.  It  is  an  altered  lignite, 
that  burns  freely,  and  crumbles  quickly  on  exposure  to  the 
rain  or  moist  air ;  burns  well  under  the  boiler  and  in  the 
grate,  and  answers  excellently  for  most  of  the  uses  to  which 
mineral  fuel  is  put. 

THE    ERIE    BED 

lies  nearly  flat,  dipping  to  the  east.  It  is  operated  by  the 
Boulder  Valley  Coal  Company  and  furnishes  most  of  the 
fuel  used  in  Denver  and  Boulder  City.  It  is  the  most 
extensively  worked  vein  in  Colorado,  and  yields  a  fuel  that 
is  considered  rather  purer  than  any  other  of  the  neighbor- 
ing beds.  The  Marshall  vein  is  supposed  to  be  a  continua- 
tion of  the  Murphy  to  the  north,  and  it  is  of  a  very  similar 
character  in  almost  every  respect.  The  Davidson  vein  was 
struck  in  the  latter  part  of  September,  of  this  yedr,  at  a 
depth  of  530  feet  below  the  surface.  It  is  twelve  feet  thick, 
and  when  exploited,  is  very  liable  to  furnish  a  denser  class 
of  "fuel  than  any  yet  taken  from  the  Colorado  plains. 


J2  Report  of  the  Board  of  Immigration. 


East  of  Denver,  along  the  'line  of  the  Kansas  Pacific,  in- 
dications of  coal  are  not  wanting.  The  same  formation  that 
is  found  along  the  foot-hills,  tilted  up  in  a  nearly  vertical 
position,  underlies  the  whole  of  eastern  Colorado,  which  is 
one  vast  lignite  basin,  containing  stores  of  truly  precious 
mineral.  It  is  not  too  much  to  place  the  probable  coal  area 
of  the  Territory  at  100,000  square  miles. 

THE   SOUTHERN    MINES 

embrace  those  of  Trinidad,  and  Fremont  County,  and  fur- 
nish a  class  of  mineral  entirely  different  from  any  yet  found 
in  the  Territory.  The  latter  are  the  oldest  and  best  known 
mines,  and  have,  at  times,  produced  at  the  rate  of  one  hun- 
dred tons  per  day.  Their  present  production  we  are  not 
aware  of,  though  it  can  hardly  have  decreased,  as  the  de- 
mand for  it  is  great,  not  only  for  household  use,  but  for  the 
manufacture  of  gas  in  Denver. 

THE   TRINIDAD    MINES 

furnish  a  coal  similar  in  many  respects  to  that  of  Canon 
City.  The  following  extract  from  a  paper  read  before  the 
American  Institute  of  Mining  Engineers,  which  we  clip 
from  the  Engineering  and  Mining  Journal  of  the  i8th,  will 
be  of  interest,  as  showing  the  latest  results  of  attempting  to 
coke  Colorado  coals : 

"  I  present  herewith  for  the  inspection  of  the  members  of 
the  Institute  a  specimen  of  coke,  made  in  gas  retorts  from 
the  lignites  of  Trinidad,  Colorado. 

As  far  as  I  am  aware,  this  is  the  first  good  coke  for 
smelting  purposes  made  from  lignite  alone  in  America.  It 
has,  so  far,  always  been  found  necessary  to  mix  bituminous 
coal  from  the  coal  measures  proper,  tar,  or  similar  mate- 
rials, with  lignites,  in  order  to  produce  a  coke,  which  even 
then  was  in  most  cases  only  an  indifferent  fuel  for  the  shaft 
furnace-.  As  you  see,  the  coke  here  presented  will  answer 
for  all  purposes  of  lead  and  copper  smelting  in  shaft  fur- 
naces, and  if  made  in  proper  coke-ovens,  it  will  probably  be 
sufficiently  dense  to  carry  the  high  smelting  column  of  the 


Report  of  the  Board  of  Immigration. 


iron  blast  furnace.  The  second  piece  of  coke,  in  which 
pieces  of  charred  coal  are  seen  held  together  by  a  regular 
coked  material,  is  made  from  a  mixture  of  three  parts  of 
Canon  City  and  one  part  of  Trinidad  lignite.  It  is  suf- 
ficiently firm  for  use  under  the  retorts  and  for  household 
purposes,  while  the  residiun^  remaining  in  the  retorts,  when 
Canon  City  lignite  alone  is  used,  cannot  be  employed  for 
any  such  purpose,  as  it  does  not  swell  at  all,  but  retains  the 
structure  of  the  coal  and  breaks  into  pieces  of  less  than  a 
cubic  inch  in  size.  By  effecting  the  above  mixture  the 
whole  residium  has  now  a  market  value,  and  an  excellent 
gas  is  produced  at  the  same  time.  The  specimen  of  Trini- 
dad lignites  presents,  as  you  see,  no  marked  characteristics 
which  would  distinguish  it  from  bituminous  coal. 

One  pound  of  it  furnishes  4.25  cubic  feet  of  purified  gas, 
without  the  use  of  an  exhauster,  and  fifty-five  per  cent,  of 
the  coal  remains  as  coke. 

COST  OF  MATERIAL. 

Trinidad,  where  tjiis  coal  occurs  in  tertiary  strata,  is  nine- 
ty miles  south  of  the  present  end  of  the  Denver  &  Rio 
Grande  Railroad,  and  for  that  distance  the  lignite  is  now 
brought  in  wagons.  This  brings  the  cost  of  a  ton  in  Den- 
ver at  present  up  to  $20,  which  is,  of  course,  too  high  a 
price  for  metallurgical  purposes.  But  the  gas  works  at 
Denver  find  it  to  their  interest  to  use  it  even  at  present,  to- 
gether with  Canon  City  lignite,  which  costs  $7,  in  the  pro- 
portions above  given.  The  Trinidad  bed  is  reported  to  be 
from  four  to  nine  feet  thick,  the  extent  not  being  stated. 
Mr.  Wm.  J.  Fay,  superintendent  of  the  Denver  gas  works, 
reports  that  there  is  very  little  sulphur  in  this  material. 

The  importance  of  this  bed  for  the  metallurgical  interests 
for  the  Far  West  cannot  be  over-rated,  when  we  know  that 
at  present  Eastern  coke  costs  at  Denver  $22,  and  at  Salt 
Lake  City,  $30  per  ton.  It  is  expected  that  the  Rio  Grande 
Railroad  will  reach  the  locality  in  less  than  six-  months, 
when  the  coal  can  be  laid  down  in  Denver  at  about  $8  per 
ton." 
(3) 


Report  of  the  Board  of  Immigration. 


THE   SUMMIT    COUNTY    MINES 

are  not  worked  by  any  parties,  and  it  is  doubtful  even  if  the 
beds  have  been  claimed  or  taken  up,  as  they  have  only  lately 
been  brought  into  notice.  The  report  of  the  survey  lately 
made  by  Mr.  Brune  furnishes  almost  all  that  is  known  of 
these  deposits.  They  are  located  on  the  divide  between 
the  Bear  and  White  rivers,  and  consist  of  several  seams 
varying  from  five  to  fifteen  feet  in  thickness,  which,  owing 
to  the  contorted  state  of  the  strata,  lie  in  a  variety  of  po- 
sitions, from  a  strict  horizontal  to  a  perfect  perpendicular. 
Above  is  a  stratum  of  sandstone,  varying  from  one  to  three 
hundred  feet  in  thickness. 

The  coal  is  of  two  kinds,  one  a  hard  lignite  and  the  other 
similar  to  what  is  called  albertite,  a  mineral  fuel  of  great 
value  as  a  gas  generator. 

It  will  be  a  long  time  before  those  deposits  prove  of  any 
intrinsic  value,  on  account  of  the  thinness  of  the  population 
in  Summit  County,  and  their  distance  from  any  railway  or 
market.  The  country  north  of  this  divide,  according  to  Mr. 
Brune,  is  capable  of  sustaining  a  large  agricultural  popula- 
tion, and,  in  addition  to  this,  there  will,  in  time,  spring  up 
extensive  smelting  interests  along  the  western  flank  of  the 
Range,  both  of  which  industries  will' create  a  demand  for 

o     * 

mineral  fuel,  which  can  be  more  cheaply  supplied  by  these 
mines  than  by  any  other  now  known  in  that  region. 

THE    CONEJOS    BEDS 

are  also  new  discoveries  of  which  but  little  are  known. 
Sufficient  outcroppings  of  coal  have  been  noticed  below 
and  west  of  the  town  of  Las  Animas,  or  Elbert,  to  indicate 
the  existence  of  extensive  lignite  deposits  there.  The  mines 
are  hardly  opened  yet,  but  situated  as  they  are,  not  more 
than  thirty  miles  south  of  the  centre  of  the  San  Juan  gold 
and  silver  district,  it  will  be  but  a  short  time  before  their 
product  will  be  called  for,  should  they  prove  suitable  for 
metallurgical  purposes. 


Report  of  the  Board  of  Immigration. 


THE  PUBLIC  LANDS  OF  THE  TERRITORY. 

There  are  about  sixty-seven  millions  of  acres  of  land 
contained  within  the  geographical  area  of  the  Territory. 
We  are  not  able  to  state  accurately  how  much  of  the  public 
domain  has  been  appropriated  up  to  this  time.  But  from 
the  best  sources  of  information  at  hand,  it  is  believed,  that 
about  four  millions  of  acres,  exclusive  of  the  lands  reserved 
to  the  Indian  tribes,  have  passed  from  the  control  of  the 
General  Government. 

The  lands  now  reserved  for  the  use  of  the  Indians  will, 
in  the  course  of  time,  as  they  have  elsewhere,  pass  into  the 
possession  and  control  of  the  people.  The  eastern  slope  of 
the  mountains,  extending  to  the  Kansas  boundary,  com- 
prises about  one-half  of  the  area  of  the  Territory,  or  about 
thirty  millions  of  acres.  About  three  millions  of  acres  have 
passed  under  the  control  of  the  Denver  Pacific  and  Kansas 
Pacific  Railway  Companies;  and  about  one  million  of  acres 
appropriated  under  the  preemption  and  homestead  laws  of 
the  United  States,  and  purchased  at  public  and  private  sale, 
mostly  at  the  nominal  price  of  one  dollar  and  twenty-five 
cents  per  acre.  It  will,  therefore,  be  seen  that  there  remains 
subje6l  to  the  occupation  of  the  settlers,  about  twenty-five 
millions  of  acres  east  of  the  summit  of  the  mountains. 

A  large  portion  of  the  public  domain  heretofore  consid- 
ered undesirable,  as  in  the  earlier  days  of  the  Territory  they 
were  all  so  considered,  are  now  eagerly  sought  after,  and 
in  all  parts  of  this  immense  region  wherever  water  can  be 
carried  from  the  streams  over  these  lands,  the  fertile  earth 
yields.up  to  the  industrious  husbandman,  in  every  year,  an 
increase  of  thirty,  fifty  and  an  hundred  fold.  All  of  the 
unoccupied  public  domain  invite  the  preemption  and  home- 
stead settlers.  Thousands  of  acres  can  be  profitably  used 
for  arable  agriculture  —  immense  tracts  are  valuable  for  the 
useful  timber  with  which  they  abound,  and  the  residue  will 
be  occupied  almost  exclusively  for  pastoral  purposes  for 
generations  to  come. 


COMMUNICATIONS 


FROM 


LOI\RESPONDING      SECRETARIES 


JEFFERSON  COUNTY. 

COUNTY  OF  JEFFERSON,  ^ 

GOLDEN,  COLORADO, 

October  8,  1873.) 

Mr.  George  T.  Clark,  Secretary  Board  Immigration,  Denver, 
Colorado  : 

SIR — Your  letter  of  September  25,  1873,  asking  informa- 
tion of  this  county  for  the  Board  of  Immigration,  received 
and  noted. 

First — How  much  has  the  population  of  your  county 
increased  during  the  past  two  years? 

The  population  of  this  county  from  the  most  reliable 
information  which  can  be  obtained  in  the  year  1871  was 
3,000,  and  the  population  July  I,  1873,  was  7,000,  making 
a  gain  in  two  years  of  4,000.  This  gain  is  rather  und^er  than 
over. 

The  population  at  the  present  time  is  about  7,500. 

Second — How  much  land  has  been  taken  up  in  the  past 
two  years  in  your  county? 

From  reliable  statements  of  the  officers  of  the  county 
about  7,000  acres  have  been  taken  up  in  the  years  1 87 1  and 
1872. 


Report  of  the  Hoard  of  fin  migration.  37 

Third — What  vocation  has  most  of  the  new  settlers 
en gaged  in? 

About  one-third  have  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits; 
one-third  in  mercantile  and  mechanical,  and  one-third  in 
mining  and  railroad  business.  About  one-fourth  are  men 
of  capital. 

Fourth — What  increase  has  been  made  in  the  crops  of 
your  county  during  the  last  two  years  ? 

The  number  of  acres  under  cultivation  in  July,  1870,  20,- 
478,  and  the  number  of  acres  under  cultivation  July  I,  1873, 
24,835.  Increase  of  agricultural  production  from  July  I, 
1870,  to  July  I,  1873,  $192,126;  the  improvements  in 
ditches  in  1873  will  very  much  increase  the  number  of 
acres  for  cultivation  and  agricultural  production  in  1874. 

Fifth — Amount  of  improvements  made  during  the  past 
two  years? 

52,278,116  assessment  in  1873. 
1,510,610  assessment  in  1871. 


Showing  an  increase  of  $767,506  in  the  past  two  years. 
The  tax  for  county  or  Territorial  purposes  in  the  year  1871 
was  twenty-six  mills;  in  1872,  twenty-one  mills,  and  in 
1873,  nineteen  mills,  making  Jefferson  county  orders  worth 
from  eighty  to  eighty-five  cents  on  the  dollar. 

This  improvement  consists  in  the  value  of  important  and 
paying  railroad  lines,  constructed  in  our  county;  manu- 
facturing establishments  of  county  and  Territorial  import- 
ance; coal  and  copper  mining — the  copper  mines  not  being 
fully  developed.  Professor  Old  has  stated  in  his  last 
mining  report  that  "the  copper  mines  of  Jefferson  county 
are  superior  to  any  yet  discovered  in  the  Territory." 
Smelting  works,  fire-brick  and  common  brick  manufactures  ; 
lumber  yards,  saw  mills,  hotels,  churches,  school  buildings, 
business  blocks  and  dwelling  houses. 

With  our  railroad  lines,  the  development  of  mineral  and 
agricultural  resources,  the  organization  of  school  districts 


Report  of  the  Board  of  Immigration. 


and  the  great  interest  manifested  in  trie  cause  of  education 
—  the  increase  of  population,  and  many  other  advantages, 
seem  to  give  our  new  settlers,  as  well  as  the  old  ones, 
entire  satisfaction,  and  especially  the  advantages  of  our 
climate  for  health.  Many  who  come  to  our  county  only  as 
visitors  have  determined  to  make  their  homes  here  on  the 
question  of  health  alone;  and  as  an  evidence  of  our  pros- 
perity the  character  of  the  improvements  made  are  of  the 
very  best  character. 

This  briefly  answers  the  questions  of  which  you  ask 
information. 

I  believe  that  the  Board  of  Immigration  would  advance 
their  object  very  much  by  requiring  each  county  officer  of 
the  Board  to  prepare  in  detail  a  circular  containing  a  full 
and  true  description  of  the  resources  of  their  counties,  and 
the  advantages  which  each  can  offer  to  those  who  desire  to 
make  their  homes  in  our  Territory.  With  this  information 
the  immigrant  coming  west  would  be  better  prepared  to 
choose  a  county  adapted  to  his  labor  and  capital.  In  the 
past  two  years  many  have  located  in  the  towns  of  the 
Territory,  and  not  enough  in  the  mining  and  agricultural 
districts.  We  have  in  our  Territory  labor  for  a  large  num- 
ber of  mining  men  and  lands  which  need  cultivation,  and 
which  yield  more  to  the  acre  than  any  Eastern  State,  and 
all  that  is  raised  finds  a  cash  market,  at  good  prices,  requir- 
ing small  capital  to  cultivate  the  soil,  and  giving  in  return 
a  large  per  cent,  clear  gain  to  the  farmer. 

Very  Respectfully, 

M.  C.  KIRBY. 

Corresponding  Secretary  for  Jefferson  County,  Colorado. 

BOULDER  COUNTY. 

LONGMONT,  September  27,  1873. 
Geo.   T.   Clark,  Esq.,  Secretary  Territorial  Board  of  Immi- 

gration : 
SIR  :  —  Yours  of  24th  inst,  at  hand  ;  in  reply  would  say  : 


Report  of  the  Board  of  Immigration. 


Our  population  has  probably  increased  1600  in  past  two 
years  ;  is  now  about  6,000  in  the  county. 

Could  not  give  even  a  guess  at  how  much  land  has  been 
taken  up  ;  you  can  learn  that  at  the  land  office. 

New  settlers  have  been  pretty  equally  divided  between 
miners  and  farmers. 

The  wheat  crop  has  been  about  doubled,  but  the  oat  and 
potatoe  crop  has  decreased  some.  Corn  has  increased  say 
fifty  per  cent. 

As  to  improvements  made,  that  is  hard  to  get  at.  The 
assessment  has  just  about  doubled,  but  that  includes  the 
increased  value  of  property  by  reason  of  railroads,  etc.  I 
should  say  that  the  value  of  improvements  in  past  two 
years  would  be  about  $400,000. 

The  people  are  not  only  generally  satisfied  but  are  very 
much  pleased  with  the  country. 

I  have  endeavored  to  make  my  estimates  low  as  I  think 
it  a  bad  plan  to  over-estimate  a  new  country. 

Your  last  pamphlet  gives  our  towns  altogether  too  many 
inhabitants;  we  havn't  got  them.  But  we  have  got  the 
country  to  support  any  number  of  people  who  have  a  mind 
to  come  here. 

I  suppose  it  is  unnecssary  to  call  your  attention  to  our 
two  railroads,  one  having  a  terminus  at  Boulder  —  the  other 
at  Longmont. 

Population  is  increasing  much  more  rapidly  this  Fall  than 
ever  before.  In  my  estimate  of  population  above,  I  have 
only  given  those  who  have  acquired  a  residence  here. 

Very  truly,  etc., 

JOHN  H.  WELLS. 

LARIMER  COUNTY. 

To  Hon.  Geo.  T.  Clark,  Secretary  Board  of  Immigration  : 
SIR:  —  In  answer  to  your  communication  of  the  23d  inst, 

I  have  the  honor  to  make  the  following  report  : 

The  population  of  this  County  according  to  the  census 


4-O  Report  of  the  Board  of  Immigration. 

taken  in  1870,  was  1,000  souls.  The  'present  population 
numbers  3,500,  showing  an  increase  of  2,500,  mostly  within 
the  past  two  years.  I  cannot  give  you  an  accurate  estimate 
of  the  amount  of  land  taken  up ;  from  no  record  here  can 
I  obtain  information.  However,  by  examination  of  the 
records  in  the  land  offi.ce  in  Denver,  correct  figures  can  be 
obtained. 

An  extremely  large  proportion  of  the  incoming  immigra- 
tion are  engaged  in  farming  and  stock  raising.  Those  en- 
gaged in  the  latter  business  are  located  on  the  smaller 
streams  and  tributary  to  the  Cache-a-la-Poudre  in  the 
mountains.  The  farmers  are  nearly  all  confined  to  the  val- 
ley of  the  Cache-a-la-Poudre  and  of  the  Big  Thompson. 

Some  immigration  has  settled  at  Fort  Collins,  principally 
due  to  the  efforts  of  the  Land  Improvement  Company  and 
Colony. ;  of  this  class,  most  are  mechanics  and  laborers. 

It  is  somewhat  difficult  to  form  an  estimate  of  the  amount 
of  grain  produced  yearly, —  the  increase  or  decrease  in  the 
crops,  or  any  item  whatever  connected  with  agriculture, 
and  here  I  desire  to  put  in  a  word  of  recommendation.  I 
think  the  Board  of  Immigration  should  recommend  to  the 
Legislature  the  passage  of  an  a<5t  requiring  all  who  return 
an  assessment  list  of  property  to  give  in  on  said  list  the 
amount  of  land  cultivated  by  them  the  preceding  year,  the 
amount  and  kinds  of  grain,  etc.,  raised  per  acre,  etc. ;  these 
items  to  be  returned  by  the  County  Assessors  on  their  as- 
sessment books.  This  would.be  of  no  additional  expense 
to  the  counties,  and  would  furnish  interesting  and  very  use- 
ful information.  It  is  safe  to  say  there  has  been  a  steady 
increase  of  cultivated  land,  a  probable  increase  of  one- 
fourth  every  year. 

The  taxable  property  in  this  County  in  1870  was  $343,- 
OOO;  in  1871,  $450,000;  in  1872,  $560,000;  and  in  1873, 
$800,000,  which  does  not  include  $250,000  railroad  lands. 
This  shows  an  increase  during  the  past  year  of  $240,000. 

This  increase  in  value  is  owing  to  improvements  on  wild 
lands,  such  as  fencing,  breaking,  etc,,  improvements  on 


Report  of  the  Board  of  Immigration.  4.1 

farms  and  town  property ;  the  importation  of  stock  of  all 
kinds  and  the  advent  of  a  stable  immigration.  Many  thou- 
sand dollars  have  been  laid  out  in  constructing  new  irrigating 
canals,  repairing  and  enlarging  old  ones  upon  which  no 
taxes  are  paid,  and  are  therefore  not  included  in  the  aggre- 
gate. 

It  would  hardly  be  doing  justice  to  our  many  advantages 
of  climate,  soil,  etc.,  not  to  mention  the  many  trumpeted 
attaches  of  our  prosperous  colony,  to  arrogate  to  the  Board 
of  Immigration  the  whole  credit  of  our  unequalled  success 
and  steadily  increasing  flow  of  immigration,  but  I  am  well 
satisfied  and  will  bear  witness  to  the  efficient  aid  the  Board 
has  rendered  us  in  obtaining  our  share  of  this  immigration, 
and  a  debt  of  gratitude  for  their  untiring  and  disinterested 
efforts  for  the  welfare  of  the  Territory. 

Respectfully,  Your  Obedient  Servant, 
Larimer  County,  Col.  CHARLES  C.  HAWLEV. 


EL  PASO  COUNTY. 

OFFICE  OF  THE  COLORADO  SPRINGS  COMPANY,     ^j 
COLORADO  SPRINGS,  COL., 

September  26,  1873.] 

George  T.  Clark,  Esq.,  Secretary  Colorado  Board  of  Immigra- 
tion, Denver,  Colorado : 

DEAR  SIR — Your  favor  of  25th  instant  is  received,  and 
though  I  have  no  statistics  from  which  to  gather  the 
information  asked  for  in  reference  to  El  Paso  County,  I 
give  the  following  facts  in  relation  to  Fountain  Colony : 

The  Colony  tract,  or  property,  embraces  about  9,650 
acres,  and  covers  an  area  of  four  miles  in  length,  by  two 
miles  wide  in  this  locality,  and  a  section  of  land  at  Manitou 
(five  miles  west  of  here)  where  our  Springs  are  located.  A 
small  settlement  of  permanent  residents  is  established  at 
Manitou,  and  a  large  hotel  is  also  built  there  for  the 
accommodation  of  the  numerous  and  rapidly  increasing 


4.2  Report  of  the  Board  of  Immigration. 

tourist  and  invalid  class.  This  town  (Colorado  Springs)  is, 
however,  what  may  be  called  our  central  point.  Our  Col- 
ony system  was  started  about  two  years  ago,  and  the  town 
then  staked  out.  It  has  been  only  twenty  months  since  the 
first  house  was  finished,  and  previous  to  that  time,  our 
property  was  only  inhabited  by  a  few  ranchmen.  The 
development,  therefore,  has  all  taken  place  within  the  last 
two  years  contemplated  in  your  inquiry.  Our  town  now 
numbers  several  hotels,  churches,  public  halls  and  billiard 
rooms,  two  schools  and  telegraph  offices,  besides  railroad 
and  freight  depots,  flouring  mills,  manufacturing  establish- 
ments, and  a  large  number  of  stores  and  shops,  representing 
most  of  the  commercial  and  mechanical  interests.  Our 
largest  establishments  sell  over  $100,000  per  annum  each, 
and  our  two  banking  houses  are  well  established  and 
profitable.  Business  generally  is  highly  prosperous,  and 
prospects  bright. 

Our  plan  has  been  to  issue  memberships  which  are  of 
four  grades,  viz:  $50,  $75,  $150,  $200.  These  member- 
ships are  payable  cash  down,  and  are  generally  taken  out 
by  heads  of  families.  They  entitle  the  holders  to  locate 
property  of  a  certain  value  (about  twice  the  cost  paid 
therefor).  The  amount  due  for  property,  so  located,  is. 
payable  one  year  from  date,  and  the  cost  of  membership  is 
deducted  in  final  payments  of  said  property.  Our  first 
membership  was  issued  in  August,  1871,  and  we  number 
up  to  525  memberships  at  present  time.  With  foregoing 
as  preliminary,  let  me  now  answer  your  questions  as 
relating  to  Fountain  Colony. 

First  and  Second — Present  population  (all  within  two 
years)  about  2,100  or  2,200  ;•  number  of  houses  in  town 
from  400  to  500. 

Third — The  property  laid  off  in  town  lots  (two  miles  long 
and  half  mile  wide)  is  more  than  half  sold,  and  in  addition 
about  1 ,000  acres  of  outlying  tracts  and  Manitou  property. 

Fourth — All  vocations  are  fairly  represented,  with,  per- 
haps, fewer  farmers  than  others. 


Report  of  the  Board  of  Immigration. 


Fifth  —  We  have  not  had  time  to  develope  in  agriculture, 
but  experiments  are  gratifying,  and  almost  any  grain,  fruit 
or  vegetable,  can  be  successfully  cultivated,  and  will  be. 

Sixth  —  Value  of  present  improvements  at  this  point  from 
$600,000  to  $750,000  ;  value  of  present  improvements  at 
Manitou  about  $200,000. 

Seventh  —  A  dissatisfied  colonist  is  rarely  met  with  ! 
.  Yours  truly, 

GERALD  DECOURSEY,  Sec'ty. 


SAGUACHE  COUNTY. 

RITO  ALTO,  SAGUACHE  COUNTY,  "] 

COLORADO  TERRITORY, 

October  24,  1873.) 

Mr.  George  T.  Clark,  Secretary  of  the  Board  of  Immigration, 
Denver,  Colorado: 

SIR — In  answer  to  your  letter  dated  September  23,  1873, 
requesting  information  upon  certain  questions  therein  con- 
tained relating  to  the  condition  and  statistics  of  the  county, 
I  have  to  say: 

First — The  population  has  increased  300  persons  in  past 
two  years. 

Second — Present  population  estimated  at  700  persons,  not 
including  Indians. 

Third — 50,000  acres  of  land  have  been  taken  up  since 
January  I,  1872. 

Fourtli — Many  of  the  new  settlers  have  engaged  in 
raising  live  stock,  dairying  and  farming. 

Fifth — The  farm  crops  have  not  increased  proportionately 
with  the  population,  but  the  value  of  the  crop  of  1873  is 
estimated  at  fifty  per  cent  more  than  the  crop  of  1871. 

Sixth — Value  of  improvements  made  in  past  two  years 
estimated  at  $200,000. 

Seventh — The  people  are  satisfied  with  the  country  so  far 
as  known. 


Report  of  tJie  Board  of  Immigration. 


Eighth  —  A  saw  mill  is  now  in  operation  on  Saguache 
Creek,  and  flour  mill  will  soon  be  completed. 

A  new  town  named  "  Loma,"  situated  on  the  north  bank 
of  Rio  Grande  River,  where  the  road  from  Saguache  to 
Conejos  crosses  the  same,  is  rapidly  increasing  in  popula- 
tion and  importance,  deriving  its  prosperity  principally 
from  the  San  Juan  mines,  and  future  prospects,  which  are 
certainly  very  bright. 

Loma  has  a  rival  —  Del  Norte  —  on  the  opposite  side  of 
the  river  in  Conejos  county. 

Respectfully  submitted, 

FRED.  C.  MORSE, 

Corresponding  Secretary. 

GREEN  CITY,  COL.,  December  6,  1873. 

To  the  Hon.  Board  of  Commissioners  of  Immigration  of  Col- 
orado Territory  : 

GENTLEMEN:  —  I  have  the  pleasure  to  make  to  your  hon- 
orable body,  as  agent  of  immigration  for  the  States  of  Mary-- 
land, Virginia  and  North  Carolina,  my  second  annual  report, 
as  follows  : 

I  had  the  honor  in  my  first  report  to  state,  in  detail,  the 
favorable  colony  rates  of  transportation  I  had  obtained  from 
the  Union  Pacific  Railroad,  and  its  pro-rating  connections 
east,  to  Cheyenne;  but  I  regret  to  say  that  whenever  a  col- 
onist, reaches  the  latter  place  (Cheyenne)  en  route  to  Colo- 
rado, he  is  required  to  pay  full  rates  for  all  extra  baggage, 
and  about  ten  cents  per  mile  for  transporting  himself  or  any 
member  of  his  family  over  the  Denver  Pacific  Railroad  ; 
That  is  to  say,  nearly  Jive  times  as  much  as  the  average  fare 
charged  to  Cheyenne  by  so-called  foreign  corporations  !  I 
am  gratified  to  state,  however,  that  upon  the  completion  of 
the  Colorado  Central  Railroad  to  Julesburg,  this  extortion- 
ate charge  upon  colonists  and  immigrants  will  be  avoided 
by  taking  the  latter  route  to  Denver  and  other  points  of 
destination  in  the  Territory,  which  change  will  contribute 


Report  of  the  Board  of  Immigration. 


45 


largely  to  settle  and  develop  the  valley  of  the  South  Platte 
and  its  tributaries. 

You  were  informed  in  my  last  report,  dated  July  ist, 
1872,  that  up  to  that  date  more  than  one  hundred  colonists 
(exclusive  of  their  families)  had  emigrated  to  our  Territory 
under  this  arrangement,  and  that  several  hundred  more  had 
purchased  property  in  Colorado,  and  were  preparing  to 
come  out  during  the  current  year. 

In  view  of  the  latter  fact,  your  agent  deemed  it  judicious 
not  to  visit  the  East  again  until  those,  or  most  of  those  al- 
ready here  and  preparing  to  come,  should  be  met  by  him, 
and,  as  far  as  practicable,  advantageously  located,  agreeably 
to  their  respective  occupations  and  means,  and  thus  made 
satisfied,  and  willing  witnesses  to  others  of  the  great  and 
varied  resources  of  our  Territory.  This  has  been  done, 
and  the  South  Platte  valley,  below  the  Cache-a-la-Poudre, 
which  two  years  ago  was  almost  unknown  to  the  farmer  or 
husbandman,  is  now  so  closely  dotted,  on  both  sides  of  the 
river  to  Julesburg,  with  comfortable  claim  buildings,  farm 
ranches,  dairies  and  corrals,  that  the  traveler  is- rarely  out 
of  sight  of  happy  homes,  where  hospitable  hosts  are  always 
ready  to  welcome  and  entertain  him. 

Since  my  last  annual  report  new  irrigating  canals  have 
been  commenced,  under  the  general  incorporation  laws  of 
the  Territory,  by  the  different  colonies  represented  at  Gree- 
ley,  Evans,  Green  City,  South  Platte,  Buffalo  and  Sterling, 
and  with  favorable  legislation,  if  enacted  during  the  early 
part  of  the  session  of  the  next  Legislature,  more  than  IOO 
miles  of  new  canals  will  be  constructed  in  Weld  County 
alone,  in  time  for  the  next  crop,  covering  at  least  100,000 
acres  of  excellent  farming  and  hay  lands. 

A  majority  of  the  colonists  have  engaged  in  agricultural 
and  pastoral  pursuits,  and  are  generally  enthusiastic  in 
praise  of  their  new  homes,  and  confident  of  success  in  their 
respective  occupations,  while  a  few,  only  too  indolent  to 
work,  or  too  ignorant  to  see  and  realize  their  golden  oppor- 
tunities, are  dissatisfied  and  complaining  because  unearned 


Report  of  the  Board  of  Immigration. 


prosperity  is  not  at  once  "thrust  upon  them"  without  labor 
or  merit  on  their  part.  ^ 

Unless  otherwise  directed  by  your  honorable  Board,  your 
agent  will  visit  the  States  during  the  ensuing  Spring  in  the 
interests  of  colonization,  and  with  your  continued  favorable 
indorsement  and  kind  offices,  many  of  which  I  have  to 
acknowledge  at  the  hands  of  your  efficient  and  indefatigable 
Secretary,  he  hopes  and  expects  to  accomplish  still  more 
in  advancing  the  objects  aimed  at  in  the  organization  of 
your  honorable  body.  Respectfully, 

J.  ALEXANDER  PACE, 
Agent  Colorado  Board  of  Immigration. 
To  Geo.  T.  Clark,  Esq.,  Sec'y  Col.  Board  of  Immmigration, 
Denver,  Col. 


MIDDLE  PARK. 

PREFATORY. 

George  T.  Clark,  Secretary  of  Board  of  Immigration  : 

DEAR  SIR  : — In  view  of  the  fact  that  the  portion  of  our 
Territory  lying  on  the  eastern,  or  Atlantic,  slope  of  the 
Rocky  Mountains,  contiguous  to  Denver,  and  extending 
from  Cheyenne  and  the  Black  Hills  in  the  north,  and  away 
southward  past  the  Arkansas  River,  and  to  the  borders  of 
New  Mexico,  is  at  present  so  occupied  agriculturally  and 
pastorally,  that  it  renders  further  settlement  difficult,  with- 
out quite  large  sums  of  money  being  invested  for  purchas- 
ing purposes,  to  embark  profitably  in  those  pursuits,  we  look 
for  a  new  field  of  enterprise  in  that  direction ;  we  have  that 
field  before  us ;  it  lies  upon  the  Pacific  slope,  in  western 
Colorado,  embraced  in  the  general  limits  of  Summit  Coun- 
ty, extending  westward  to  the  east  boundary  of  Utah. 

DESCRIPTIVE. 

The  writer  and  his  old  time  Colorado  associates  have  ex- 
amined this  region  somewhat  in  detail,  and  this  report  is 
accurate,  we  believe,  so  far  as  we  had  means  of  observing, 
.  and  may  be  described  essentially  as  follows  : 


Report  of  the  Board  of  Immigration.  4.7 

Southern  Portion. —  Crossing  the  range  from  the  South 
Park,  over  the  Breckenridge  pass  and  stage  road,  we  reach 
the  gold-placer  diggings  and  gold  and  silver  veins  of  that 
mining  section,  including  towns  of  Breckenridge,*(County 
seat  of  Summit  County,)  Lincoln  City,  Montezuma,  Galena 
Gulch,  Buffalo  Flats,  and  Gold  Run,  with  a  probable  popu- 
lation of  400  to  500,  principally  miners,  good  paying  mines, 
with  good  pastoral  advantages,  well  wooded,  timbered  and 
watered.  From  Breckenridge  a  wagon  road  is  being  built 
by  County  appropriation  down  the  fine  valley  of  the  Blue 
river,  some  forty-five  to  fifty  miles,  touching  the  Grand 
river  and  entering  the  Middle  Park  just  above  the  western 
boundary  of  the  Park  and  the  great  canon  of  the  Grand, 
(occurring  between  the  Middle  and  Egeria  Parks)  thence  up 
the  Grand  river  to  the  Hot  Springs,  where  it  will  intersect 
the  direct  eastern,  or  Denver,  entrance  to  the  Park,  via  the 
Rollins  wagon  road. 

BANC 

MIDDLE  PARR.  LiBf 

The  Middle  Park  has  an  area  of  fifty  by  seventy-five  miles, 
its  greatest  length  being  north  and  south.  It  is  surrounded 
by  mountain  ranges  and  entered  by  mountain  passes.  Its 
entrance,  heretofore,  has  been  an  arduous  and  difficult 
undertaking;  but  all  difficulties  of  that  nature  are  now 
removed.  The  Park  is  divided  into  three  basins  or  compart- 
ments, (evidently  at  some  period  submerged)  and  is  separ- 
ated by  mountain  spurs,  or  divides,  easily  crossed.  The 
altitude  of  the  upper  portion  of  the  Park  is  from  7,000  to 
8,000  feet ;  of  the  lower  portion,  6,000  feet. 

FRAZER  RIVER  BASIN. 

The  south-eastern,  or  Frazer  Basin,  is  traversed  by  the 
Rollins  road  in  its  first  entrance  into  the  Park,  and  also  by 
the  James  Peak  and  Berthoud  routes.  This  has  an  area  of 
say  fifteen  by  twenty  miles,  and  is  the  smallest  of  the  three 
compartments.  It  is  mostly  composed  of  park  or  prairie 
area.  The  bottoms  are  thickly  covered  with  excellent  and 


N  < 
AHf 


Report  of  the  Board  of  Immigration. 


nutritous  grasses,  and  the  upland  grazing  is  good.  It  is 
well  watered  by  numerous  streams  and  interspersed  with 
groves  and  wooded  divides  of  pine,  spruce,  fir  and  aspen. 
It  is  the*best  summer  pasturage,  perhaps,  in  the  Park,  but 
too  elevated  and  frosty  for  agricultural  purposes,  and 
through  winter  stock  would  have  to  be  fed  or  driven  to  the 
valley  of  the  Grand.  The  Frazer,  or  James  river,  having 
its  sources  under  James  Peak  and  Berthoud  Pass,  runs 
northerly  entirely  through  this  section.  Passing  by  the 
road  northwesterly  six  miles  from  the  Frazer,  we  come  to  a 
point  where  a  road,  or  trail,  diverges  from  the  direct  route 
to  the  Springs,  which  leads  us  northeast  in  six  to  eight 
miles  to  a  recrossing  of  the  Frazer  at  a  point  ten  miles  lower 
down  and  three  miles  above  its  junction  with  the  Grand 
River.  We  now  enter  the  second  and  largest  of  the  three 
basins. 

BASIN  OF  THE  UPPER  GRAND  RIVER. 

The  trail  at  the  lower  Frazer  crossing,  just  alluded  to, 
continues  its  course  across  the  Park  northeasterly,  crossing 
Grand  river  and  following  up  that  stream  to  the  Grand 
lake,  situated  at  the  head  of  the  South  Fork  of  the  Grand 
river,  under  Long's  and  the  Caribou  Peaks.  The  distance 
is  twenty  miles.  This  compartment,  at  one  place,  has  a 
park  or  plain,  width  of  twenty-five  miles.  The  valleys  are 
clothed  with  heavy  mowing  grasses,  and  the  upper,  or  sage 
brush,  plateaus  are  most  excellent  pasturage.  Groves  and 
timbered  divides  occur,  while  the  entire  outer  circle  of  the 
whole  Middle  Park,  approaching  the  base  of  the  mountain 
ranges,  is  heavily  timbered.  The  upper  portion  of  this  sec- 
tion is  too  cold  for  agricultural  purposes,  but  the  lower  part 
is  available  for  tillage.  Cheap  irrigation  is  available  all 
over  the  Park,  although,  of  late  years,  all  our  mountain 
sections  need  less  irrigation  than  formerly. 

Below  the  mouth  of  the  Frazer,  at  the  western  extremity 
of  this  division,  the  Grand  enters  a  canon  of  some  six  miles 
in  length,  with  a  narrow  but  rich  bottom,  and  crossed  by 


Report  of  the  Board  of  Immigration.  4.9 

^ 

two  veins  of  lignite  or  bituminous  coal.  It  opens  out  below 
into  the  valley  of  the  Hot  Springs,  and  the  third  and  west- 
ern of  the  Park  Divisions. 

THIRD    DIVISION. 

This  is  the  centre,  or  main  location,  for  a  town  in  the 
Park,  and  a  petition  is  now  in  circulation  for  the  formation 
of  a  new  county  to  be  called  Grand  County,  with  County 
Seat  at  the  Springs.  Three  townships  have  been  surveyed 
at,  below,  and  above  the  Springs.  No  improvements,  or 
accommodations  for  visitors,  or  settlers,  have  yet  been  pro- 
vided at  this  point,  except  the  commencement  of  a  log 
hotel ;  but  such  accommodations  must  be  now  forthcoming 
for  the  coming  summer  herds  of  cattle  will  be  brought  in, 
and  ac~lual  settlement  commenced.  There  are  now  12,000 
sheep  in  the  Park  for  the  winter,  near  the  Springs,  and  in 
good  condition,  and  some  thirty  ranches  are  already  taken 
in  the  Park,  and  several  colonies  are  contemplating  a  set- 
tlement there  or  beyond. 

This  lower  portion  of  the  Park  is  well  adapted  to  agricul- 
tural pnrposes  with  a  climate  mild,  perhaps,  as  Denver. 
Most  grains  and  vegetables  can  be  readily  produced.  Cat- 
tle graze  through  the  winter  with  little  or  no  feed.  There 
are  many  tributary  streams,  like  William's  Fork,  the  Blue, 
Muddy  and  Troublesome,  with  their  minor  tributaries,  all 
having  rich,  alluvial  bottoms,  equal  in  richness  to  the  valley 
of  the  Grand.  This  river  canons  below  the  Springs  for  four 
miles,  with  timbered  banks,  and  then  opens  out  into  abroad, 
beautiful  valley  below  for  fifteen  miles,  with  most  excellent 
ranch  locations,  where,  in  former  times,  the  old  pioneer, 
John  S.  Jones,  fenced  his  ranch,  and  raised  800  bushels  of 
fine  potatoes,  grain,  etc.  Light  snow  only  falls  here  during 
the  winter.  Pasturage  on  the  upper  plateaus  is  almost  un- 
limited and  the  soil  good.  Timber  is  reached  in  two  to 
four  miles ;  and  any  quantity  may  be  floated  down  Grand 
river.  Grasses  are  free  from  noxious  weeds  and  the  quality 
of  beef  and  butter  and  dairy  products  by  such  feed  is  un- 
surpassed in  any  country. 

(4)  


Report  of  the  Board  of  Immigration. 


ROADS. 

The  Breckenridge  road  has  been  described.  The  Rollins 
Wagon  Road  takes  its  departure  for  the  Park  at  Rollins- 
ville,  in  Gilpin  County,  passes  up  the  valley  of  the  South 
Boulder,  without  crossing  the  stream,  into  the  upper  South 
Boulder  Park,  thence  up  the  north  fork  of  the  South  Boul- 
der, to  the  foot  of  the  snowy  range,  lake  Jenny,  and  a  new 
mining  camp,  a  distance  of  twelve  miles  at  a  water  grade ; 
no  climbing  hills.  The  road  is  most  admirably  constructed 
and  graded.  It  then  ascends  and  crosses  the  range  over 
the  South  Boulder  or  Rollins  pass,  at  an  altitude  of  10,200 
feet,  with  two  and  a  halt  to  three  miles  of  route  above  tim- 
ber line,  but  the  road  is  good  at  this  point,  and  nearly  level. 
The  route  is  so  located  that  in  ascending  or  descending  the 
eastern  and  western  slopes,  no  heavy  grades  are  to  be  sur- 
mounted, and  two  to  two  and  a  half  miles  will  cover  the 
entire  hill  portion  of  the  road,  for  the  whole  length  in  reach- 
ing the  Park. 

The  road  is  open  to  within  one-quarter  of  a  mile  of  the 
Park,  and  the  whole  road  will  be  completed  by  the  25th  of 
May  next  ready  for  travel,  and  will  be  continued  on  through 
Middle  Park  and  Western  Colorado,  and  to  Utah.  This  is 
an  admirable  work  and  is  the  means  of  opening  our  west- 
ern Territory.  Carriages  and  loaded  teams  can  be  driven 
over  the  road  with  ease  and  safety ;  and  our  herds  of  stock 
can  be  driven  over  this  route  to  and  from  the  Park,  to  our 
mines  and  Denver,  in  three  or  four  days  time,  without  in- 
juring them  in  the  least,  and  in  good  feed  all  the  distance. 
From  Denver  to  Rollinsville  is  forty  miles.  Black  Hawk 
and  Central  to  same  place  twelve  miles ;  Rollinsville  to  the 
Park,  by  new  road,  twenty  miles ;  from  entrance  of  Park  to 
Springs,  fifteen  to  eighteen  miles.  There  are  also  the  Ber- 
thoud  Pass  into  the  Park  from  Georgetown  and  Empire,  and 
the.  James  Peak  route  from  Central  City ;  a  covered  way 
through  one  permanent  snow  drift  of  sixty  rods,  will  allow 
a  winter  passage  of  this  route,  and  that  shed  will  be  built: 


Report  of  the  Board  of  Immigration.  51 


TERRITORY   WEST  OF  THE  GORE  PASS. 

From  the  Hot  Springs  the  route  of  the  Rollins  road  and 
of  the  Berthoud  Trail  is  westward  through  the  Park,  cross- 
ing Corral  creek,  the  Troublesome  and  Muddy  to  the  Gore 
Pass  through  the  Rabbit-Ear  range,  (which  is  the  western 
boundary  of  the  Middle  Park)  a  distance  of  thirty  miles. 
The  route  through  Gore  Pass  is  in  heavy  poplar  timber, — 
seven  miles  at  an  easy  grade.  From  the  west  slope  of  this 
pass,  the  road  is  down  a  succession  of  beautiful,  rich,  grassy 
valleys  (the  divides  covered  with  excellent  timber  and  well 
adapted  for  settlement)  for  twelve  miles  to  the  Tumbuinaro 
Rock  and  Park,  in  the  northeastern  part  of  the  Egeria  Park, 
and  the  sage  brush  prairie  of  the  upper  Bear  River  Valley; 
from  this  point  the  route  passes  northwesterly  down  Bear 
River  Valley,  twenty-five  miles  to  the  great  sulphur  springs 
of  Bear  River.  The  valley  is  two  to  two  and  a  half  miles 
in  width,  with  rich  soil  and  heavy  grasses,  well  adapted 
both  for  tillage  and  pasturage.  Fifteen  miles  above,  and  on 
the  way  down,  the  Berthoud  route  diverges  to  the  south- 
ward, passing  over  into  the  valley  of  White  River  and 
through  the  Ute  Reservation.  From  the  Sulphur  Springs 
the  trend  of  Bear  river  is  diredlly  west,  eight  miles,  to  the 
mouth  of  Elk  river. 

ELK  RIVER  VALLEY  AND  MINES. 

Elk  river  is  a  tributary  of  the  Bear,  coming  in  from  the 
northward,  and  nearly  its  equal  in  size  for  twenty-five  miles 
up  to  where  it  issues  from  the  hills.  The  valley  is  exceed- 
ingly fine,  with  bottom  land  two  to  two  and  a  half  miles  in 
width,  the  very  best  soil,  heavily  covered  with  red  top  and 
blue-joint  grasses;  ground  all  ready  for  the  mowing  ma- 
chine if  hay  should  be  required.  At  the  outer  edge  ot  the 
bottom  land  the  valley  slopes  gently  upward ;  on  the  west 
side,  a  distance  of  ten  to  fifteen  miles  from  the  river,  and  on 
the  east  side  from  two  to  five  miles  in  width,  covered  with 
the  California  bunch  and  other  grasses,  for  grazing,  and  all 
this  soil  is  good  for  farming  and  tillage.  Above  this  slope 


52  Report  of  the  Board  of  Immigration. 

comes  scrub  oak,  choke-cherry  and  service  bushes,  and  still 
above  pine,  spruce,  fir,  and  cedar  woodlands.  Five  miles 
above  the  head  of  this  valley  Willow  Creek  comes  in  from 
the  northwest,  up  which,  five  miles,  are  located  gold  placer 
mines,  said  to  be  rich.  They  were  extensively  opened  the 
past  summer,  and  with  good  promise  of  future  success. 
This  mountain-locked  valley  of  the  Elk  river  is  never 
troubled  with  winds — always  calm. 

VALLEY  OF  SNAKE  RIVER. 

Fifteen]  miles  north  of  Elk  river  valley  and  mines  we 
reach  the  Snake  river  at  the  three  forks  and  where  it  leaves 
the  mountain  range.  From  this  point  the  river  runs  west 
down  a'broad,  splendid  valley  for  thirty  miles,  where  Indian 
corn  has  been  raised  and  matured,  this  season ;  also  mel- 
ons, and  without  irrigation.  Any  crops  can  be  produced 
here  that  can  be  raised  in  any  portion  of  Colorado.  Pas- 
toral advantages  are  almost  unlimited.  Settlers  and  herds 
of  cattle  are  now  here — one  herd  numbering  1,700  head. 
Snow  rarely  falls  and  stock  is  exceeding  fat  the  year  round 
without  feed.  At  thirty  miles  below  the  forks  the  govern- 
ment, or  Ute  Agency,  road  from  White  River  to  Rawling's 
Station,  on  the  Union  Pacific  Railroad,  crosses  the  Snake 
river,  and  is  traveled  by  these  settlers ;  distance  eighty  miles. 
It  is  a  good  road,  the  upper  portion  of  it,  where  it  crosses 
the  range  at  Bridger  pass,  being  the  old  Holliday  wagon 
road.  Ninety  miles  below  the  road  crossing  Snake,  this 
river  enters  the  Bear  River.  The  Snake  river  valley 
abounds  in  coal  from  the  head  to  Green  river.  Next  comes 
the  Green  river  desert,  or  burnt  country,  producing  sand 
greasewood,  sage-brush  and  lizards,  although  possessing 
redeeming  points  in  coal  and  petroleum  slates,  with  their 
deposits.  Returning  to  the  eastward  we  take  the  Rollins- 
Berthoud  route  down  White  river  for  125  miles  with  many 
very  desirable  locations,  but  principally  now  in  the  Ute 
Reservation,  and  the  lower  seventy-five  miles  is  the  desert, 
through  which  the  White  river,  like  the  Nile,  forms  an  oasis 


Report  of  the  Board  of  Immigration. 


in  its  passage  to  its  junction  with  Green  river,  Fort  Robi- 
deaux  and  the  eastern  boundary  of  Utah. 

MIDDLE  PARK  AND  BEYOND   AS  A  RESORT  FOR  SPORTSMEN 
AND  VISITORS. 

The  dry,  pure  and  bracing  air  of  western  Colorado  with 
its  valuable  mineral  and  medicinal  springs  renders  it,  as  a 
summer  resort,  invaluable.  For  the  sportsman,  bear,  elk, 
deer,  antelope,  mountain  sheep,  mountain  lions,  ducks, 
geese,  sage-hen,  blue-hen,  mountain  grouse  and  rabbits  are 
abundant  in  game  season.  For  the  trapper,  beaver  and 
other  furred  animals  are  plenty.  Chalcedony,  agates,  fos- 
sils and  petri  factions  abound  for  the  specimen-hunter.  And 
for  the  disciples  of  Isaac  Walton,  the  trout-fly  and  line  were 
never  cast  in  more  abundant  waters.  Taken  as  a  whole  the 
above  described  region  is  doubtless  the  best  remaining  por- 
tion of  Colorado  for  practical  settlement,  and  I  have  been 
recently  informed  by  those  having  official  right  to  make 
such  statement  that  no  difficulty  will  arise  the  coming  sea- 
son to  the  settlers  by  Ute  interference  or  annoyance,  for 
should  they  show  an  inclination  to  prove  troublesome,  they 
will  be  promptly  returned  to,  and  retained  upon,  their  res- 
ervation. I  remain  very  respectfully, 

P.  M.  SMART. 


PASSENGERS 


—  FOR  — 


Boulder  Greeley,  Evans, 
LAS  ANIMAS,  PUEBLO, 


AND  ALL   POINTS  IN 


KANSAS,  COLORADO, 

NEW  MEXICO  AND  ARIZONA, 

You  save  many  hours  time  and  avoid  disagreeable  changes  of  cars  and  delays 
at  junction  points,  by  taking  the 


The  only  line  by  which  you  can  obtain 

THROUGH  TICKETS  &  BAGGAGE  CHECKS. 


Maps,  circulars,  and  all  information  cheerfully  given  by  addressing 

BEVEBLY  E.  KEIM, 
General  Passenger  Agent,  Kansas  City. 


KANSAS  PACIFIC  RAILWAY. 


The  KANSAS  and  COLORADO  All-Rail  Route  between 

Kansas  Ely  ani  laiwtk 


LAWRENCE, 

TOPEKA, 

WAMEGO, 

MANHATTAN, 

JUNCTION  CITY, 

MILLFORD, 

WAKEFIELD, 

CLAY  CENTER, 

ABILENE, 

SOLOMON, 

SALINA, 

BROOK  VI LLE, 

ELLSWORTH, 


WILSON, 

BUNKER  HILL, 

RUSSELL, 

WALKER, 

VICTORIA, 

HAYS, 

ELLIS, 

PARKS'  FORT, 

WALLACE, 

KIT  CARSON, 

LAS  ANI  MAS, 

PUEBLO, 

SANTA  FE, 

SALT  LAKE  CITY 

AND   ALL   POINTS    IN 


IDENVER, 
ERIE, 
IBOULDER, 
'LONGMONT, 

GEORGETOWN, 
GOLDEN, 
CENTRAL  CITY, 
COLORADO  SPRINGS 
IDAHO  SPRINGS,     . 
GREELEY, 
EVANS, 

PLATTEVILLE, 
CHEYENNE, 


KANSAS,  COLORADO, 


The  Territories  and  Pacific  Coast, 


A  OO    TV/TIT   L7C  THE  SHORTEST  LINE  BETWEEN  KANSAS  CITY 

J-OO      1Y1  li-ilLO  AND  DENVER. 

No  Ferries !     No  Omnibus  Transfers  ! 


The  only  Ditett  Line  to  the  fertile  valleys  of  the  Kansas^Re- 

publican,  Solomon,  Saline,  Smoky  Hill, 

and  Arkansas  Rivers. 


Only  line  running  cars  through  without  change  from  the  Missouri  River  to  Denver. 

Only  line  running  Pullman  Palace  Cars  to  Denver. 
•    Don't  fail  to  take  a  trip  over  this  line  and  view  the  great  advantages  offered  for  a  home. 

Everybody  in  search  of  health  or  pleasure  should  make  an  excursion  over  the  Kansas  Pa- 
cific Railway. 

Close  connedlioLs  made  at  Kansas  City,  Leavenworth,  Clay  Center,  Denver,  Las  Animas, 
Boulder  and  Cheyenne  for  all  points. 

STOUT  in*  EDMUND  S.BOWEN,  Sen'!  Sup't. 

General  Passenger  Agent,  Kansas  City. 


188  MILES  THE  SHORTEST  ROUTE 

PROM: 


Kansas  City  or  Leavenworth 


TO 


OMnge  &f  Gars  fr&m 


asses  through  the  celebrated  KANSAS  VALLEY,  and  through  thriving 
cities  and  towns,  and  centers  of  the  most  fertile  Agricultural  Districts.  The 
State  Capital,  and  the  seats  of  the  State  Colleges  and  Public  Institutions  are 
all  located  on  this  line. 

The  STATE  NORMAL  SCHOOL  is  at  Leavenworth. 

"     BLIND  ASYLUM  -        "     Wyandotte. 

"     KANSAS  UNIVERSITY     -  "     Lawrence. 

"     STATE  CAPITOL  -      . "    Topeka. 

"     STATE  AGRICULTURAL  COLLEGE  -  "     Manhattan. 


It  is  the  Only  Trunk  Railway  which  passes 

mm  THE  GREAT  BUFFALO  RANGES  of  the  AMERICAN  CONTINENT, 

Immense  herds  of  Bttffalo,  Antelope,  etc.,  roam  wer  the  broad  prairies 
and  often  in  sight  of  passing  trains. 

THE    KANSAS    PACIFIC    RAILWAY    IS 


There  are  no  disagreeable  Omnibus  nor  dangerous  Ferry  Transfers 

by  this  route.    Through  Passengers  from  the  East  make  trans- 

fers in  Union  Depots,  and  cross  all  the  Great  Rivers 

on  Substantially  Constructed  Iron  Bridges. 

THE  KANSAS  PACIFIC  RAILWAY  IS  THE  ONLY  ALL  SAIL  ROUTE 

DENVER,  SALT  LAKE  CIT^®  PACIFIC  COAST. 

BEVERLEY  R.  KEIM,  EDMUND  S.  BOWEN, 

Genl.  Pass.  Agt.t  Kansas  City.  Gen/.  Superintendent. 


FREIGHT  TRANSPORTATION 


VIA    THE 


AND  OPERATED  LINES 

INCLUDING  THE 

DENVER  PACIFIC  RAILWAY, 

DENVER  &  BOULDER  VALLEY  Ry, 

ARKANSAS  VALLEY  RAILWAY,  and 

JUNCTION  CITY  &  FT.  KEARNEY  Ry, 


KANSAS  CITY,  MO,  AND  LEAVEN! ORTH,  KAN., 

TO  ALL  POINTS  IN 

Northern,  Central  and  Southern  Kansas, 

ttwning,  f  §w  tlnieo, 

8   vf  *  *'     */J  T-T 


To  Merchants  and  Manufacturers 

SUPEBIOB  ADVANTAOES  ABE  OFFEEED 

In  the  Shipment  of  all  Classes  of  Freight, 

The  only  route  by  which  Freight  is  forwarded  without  transfer, 
and  bills  of  lading  secured  to   Denver,   Golden 
City,  Evans,  Greeley,  Boulder,  Cen- 
tral City,  Etc.,  Etc. 


TIE  as  QUICK  and  RATES  always  as  LOW  as  any  other  Ronto! 

Jggg^" Special  inducements  offered  to  COLONISTS  in  the  transportation  of 
their  LIVE  STOCK,  HOUSEHOLD  GOODS  and  Implements. 

All  business  pertaining  to  the  FREIGHT  DEPARTMENT  should  be  ad- 
dressed to 

T.  F.  OAKES,  Gen'l  Freight  Agt., 

KANSAS  CITY. 


MOUNTAIN 


DAILY  AIVI>  WEEKLY. 


Pioneer  of  the  Rocky  Mountain  Region  and  Recognized  Leading  Paper  of 
Colorado  Territory. 

LARGEST  NEWSPAPER  between  KANSAS  CITY  and  CALIFORNIA 


ITS  EDITORIALS  ABLE  AND  INSTRUCTIVE! 

ITS  LOCAL  NEWS  FRESH    AND  AHEAD  OF   ALL   RIVALS! 

ITS  CORRESPONDENCE  VARIED  AND  SPICY! 

ITS  COLUMNS  REPLETE  WITH  ENTERTAINING  MATTER! 

ITS  TELEGRAMS  THE  LATEST  AND  FRESHEST! 

IN  ALL  ITS  DEPARTMENTS 

The  News  Stands  Superior  to  any  other  Paper  in  the  Far  West  ! ! 

By  Far  the  Best  Advertising  Medium  in  Colorado. 


IN  CONNECTION  WITH  THE  NEWSPAPER  IS 

THE  BEST  JOB  OFFICE 

IN  THE  WEST. 


The  Daily  News  (by  mail) $10  per  year. 

The  Weekly  News  (by  mail) 3  per  year. 


Iti^Specimen  Copies  Sent  to  All  on  Application. "&a 


WM.  X.  BYERS,  Publisher, 

DENVER,  COLORADO. 


BETTER  INDUCEMENTS 

Are  offered  along  the  lines  of  the  JfAJYSAS  %>&  CIl^IC  and 

PACIFIC  'RAIL  WA.  TS  in  Colorado 
than  elsewhere  in  the    West. 


PROVIDE  YOURSELVES  WITH  FARMS  WHILE  LAND  IS  CHEAP! 


-OF- 


Choice  Farming,  Grazing,  Timber  &  Goal  Lands 


TEE  DENVER  PACIFIC  AND  MAS  PACIFIC  RAILWAYS 

IN 

COLORADO. 


An  Equal  Amount  of  Government  Land  adjoining  the  Railway  Land 

can  be  taken  by  ACTUAL  SETTLERS  under  the  Pre- 

Emption  and  Homestead  Acts. 


in  ii|e  f  ill  for 

FERTILE  SOIL-ABUNDANCE  OF  WATER-PLENTY  OF  COAL. 


THE  MOST  HEALTHFUL  CLIMATE  IN  THE  WORLD. 


A  never  failing  Market  in  the  Mining  Districts  for  all  the  Farmer  can  produce. 

i  *t 

Gen'l  Agents,  DENVER,  COL. 


